Are Eye Emergencies Preventable?

Thousands of eye emergencies occur in the United States every day, but 90 percent of them can be prevented. According to eye health and safety institutions, using appropriate eye protection can prevent 9 out of 10 eye emergencies.

 

Common causes of eye emergencies include cuts, chemical burns, scratches, objects in the eye, and wounds that frequently occur in workplaces. But the reality is that these injuries can happen anywhere such as at home, school, on the playground, or during sporting events. The steps you can take to reduce your chances of eye emergencies include the following.

 

Wearing Protective Eyewear

When taking part in high-risk sports or using power tools, wear the appropriate eyewear for protection. Even if you are not part of the activity, you are more likely to injure your eye whenever you are around flying items. Likewise, wear sunglasses that shield your eyes from harmful UV light when you go outside, whether sunny or cloudy or lighting fireworks.

 

Clean Your Hands Before Touching Your Eyes

Generally, you should always try not to touch your eyes. But if you need to, be sure to clean your hands carefully first. This will help get rid of toxic substances that could hurt your eye while ensuring that no debris or dust transfer to your eye.

 

Open Fizzy Drinks or Champagne Cautiously

Surprisingly, many eye emergencies are brought about by flying champagne corks that have been opened without necessary care and attention. When you are about to open a bottle of champagne or any other fizzy bottle, ensure that the bottle’s neck is facing away from you and any onlookers.

 

Store Away Sharp Objects Securely

Knives, scissors, and other sharp items around your house can put your children at risk of potential eye emergencies. Keep such instruments safely away from kids. You can teach your older kids how to use them carefully or oversee them when they do.

 

Childproof Your House

You can childproof your house by cushioning or removing objects with sharp ends. Similarly, you can discourage your kids from playing with pointed toys such as pellet guns and darts.

 

Care When Cooking

Exercise caution when cooking with oil and grease to ensure that the liquids do not splash and enter your eye. You can use oil splash guards for safety.

 

Caution When Using Hair Heating Devices

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 5,400 eye emergencies from curling irons happen every year. This happens when users accidentally touch their eyes with these hot hair straightening tools. Many of the victims are young women between the ages of 15 and 24.

 

When to See Your Doctor

See your eye doctor if you experience redness, swelling, and pain in your eye after an incident. As well, seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing muscle twinges in your eyelid or eye, producing too many tears, getting persistent headaches, or having trouble focusing. Do not attempt to treat eye emergencies on your own.

To learn more about preventing eye emergencies, contact Ridgeview Eye Care at our office in Olathe or De Soto, Kansas. You can reach us at (913) 270-8598 or (913) 270-6017, respectively, to schedule an appointment.