by SAC Health Staff Writer
August is National Eye Month. If you’ve been putting off scheduling an eye exam or updating your prescription for glasses or contact lenses, August is a great time to do your vision a favor. It’s also Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which makes it an excellent opportunity to talk with your kids about how they can take care of their eyes.
One of the best things you can do for your family’s eye health is to educate yourself on the most common causes of eye injury -- and the simple measures you can take to reduce the risk.
The number one tip from optometrists and ophthalmologists is to remember your protective eyewear. It’s a common misconception that prescription glasses can prevent injury from flying debris or droplets. The truth is, your eyeglasses aren’t designed to keep you safe from foreign objects. Instead of relying on your glasses, choose your eye protection based on your activity:
In an environment with dust, debris, or large objects, such as when working with wood or cleaning an enclosed space, wear safety glasses that protect both the front and side of your eyes.
If working with liquid chemicals that might splash, wear goggles that form an airtight seal over your eyes.
When working with potentially hazardous light or radiation, such as when welding, wear a full-face shield with a protected eyepiece.
A few other doctor-approved eye safety tips you can use anywhere:
Always read the full warning labels on any potentially dangerous chemicals before using them. Avoid mixing household chemicals.
If a spray bottle contains anything but water, never point the nozzle at your face.
When mowing your lawn, wear safety glasses. Pick up sticks and other objects that might fly upward when the mower blades hit them.
Inspect all tools for damage before you use them.
To prevent falls that might lead to eye injuries, apply non-slip pads to all rugs and floor coverings in your house.
When cooking, pour hot liquids slowly and carefully to avoid splashing.
Pay close attention when restraining loads using bungee cords. If a cord comes loose while under stress, it can snap upward toward your face.
Be careful when drilling into walls, sweeping up dust, or doing anything else that releases particles into the air.
If you have kids, you can take a couple of extra steps to keep their eyes safe:
Cushion sharp corners and edges on your furniture, especially if it’s at a child’s eye level.
Ensure your children always have the proper eyewear for playing sports.
Teach your child not to rub their eyes to remove irritations. Instead, show them how to rinse their eyes with warm water.
If your child gets hit in the eye, hold a cold compress against it for 15 minutes.
The third week of August is Contact Lens Health Week. Contact lenses are a great alternative to glasses, but you should always keep them clean and replace them on the schedule dictated by your eye doctor. Make sure to only use an approved sterile solution to re-wet your contact lenses - never use tap water, saline solution or saliva.
SAC Health provides eye health services for children and adults. To schedule your eye appointment this August, visit sachealth.org/appointments.
Comments