How to Protect Yourself from Eye Injuries at Work
Think eye injuries only happen in factories or on construction sites? Although injuries are certainly more common at those jobs, they can occur in any type of workplace. Luckily, you can avoid injuries that threaten your vision by taking a few precautions at work.
Don't Rub Your Eyes
Have you ever moved a dusty box and gotten something in your eye? Although your natural inclination may be to rub your eye, rubbing grinds debris into your eye. If you don't resist the urge to rub your eyes, you may develop a painful abrasion on your cornea, the clear tissue that covers your iris. More than 59% of work eye injuries were caused by employees rubbing their eyes or foreign objects scaping the eye, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you get something in your eye, follow these tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO):
- Blink a Few Times to Naturally Remove the Foreign Object
- Gently Pull Your Upper Eyelid Over Your Lower Eyelid (The natural brushing movement of the eyelashes could help remove the object, the AAO says.)
- Flush Out Debris with Saline Solution, Eyewash, or Running Water
Call your optometrist or go to the Emergency Room if these steps don't help. Don't try to remove metal, glass, or any objects that have penetrated your eye.
Gear Up
It's much easier to prevent an eye injury than it is to treat it. Put on safety glasses, goggles, helmets, face shields, or respirators before:
- Working Around Airborne Debris, Like Wood Chips, Grass, Dust, Dirt, or Metal Shavings
- Using Chemicals or Cleaning Products
- Operating Machinery
- Using Lasers or Other Devices That Produce Visible Light
- Working with Blood and Body Fluids
Do you avoid using safety gear because you wear eyeglasses? Although your glasses may offer some protection, gaps on the sides, tops, and bottoms of eyeglasses allow dirt, debris, and foreign objects to reach your eyes. When you wear wraparound safety glasses or goggles, foreign objects and chemicals bounce off your eyewear, protecting your eyes.
If safety glasses or goggles worn over your glasses are uncomfortable, prescription goggles and safety glasses, available from your optometrist, offer a more comfortable option.
Sun exposure can also damage your eyes. Wearing eyewear that offers protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light is a must if you're exposed to sunlight on the job. The longer you're exposed to UV light, the greater your chance is of developing cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. UV light exposure also increases your risk for skin cancer on your eyelids and around your eyes.
Working around snow, sand, or other reflective surfaces increases your risk of developing photokeratitis if you don't wear UV sunglasses. The painful condition occurs when the cornea becomes sunburned.
Sunlight isn't the only problem. Employees who work with lasers, welding tools, and other machinery that produces bright light or radiation are at risk for eye injuries. Wearing protective gear protects your eyes from burns and other injuries.
Be a Rule Follower
Rules are in place to protect you, although it may seem like they only make your job harder. Follow all safety rules, from wearing protective eyewear when required to maintaining machinery. Report malfunctioning equipment as soon as you notice the problem, don't keep using machinery that isn't working correctly, and don't disable safety guards. You never know when a piece of the machine could break away and turn into a projectile.
Don't ignore specific protective eyewear requirements at your workplace. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need specialized eyewear to protect against radiation exposure or fiber optic light.
Keep It Clean
After you remove your protective eyewear, wash your hands before touching or rubbing your eyes. Do you wear a hat when you're working? Take it off before you remove your goggles or safety glasses. Debris from your hat could fall in your eyes if your eyes are unprotected. Remove coveralls or clothing covered with debris before removing your protective eyewear to prevent exposure to dust and debris.
Do you need a new pair of safety goggles or glasses? We offer prescription and non-prescription varieties that will help you protect your eyes. Contact our office for more information.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Workers Suffered 18,510 Eye-Related Injuries and Illnesses in 2020, 3/31/2023
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Recognizing and Treating Eye Injuries, 4/10/2023
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries
American Optometric Association: Protecting Your Eyes at Work
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/protecting-your-vision?sso=y
Prevent Blindness: Your Sight
https://preventblindness.org/preventing-eye-injuries-at-work/