Home Eye Safety Month

October is designated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, as well as the organization “Prevent Blindness America”, as Home Eye Safety Month. Such a sponsorship supports the awareness of something all of us in eye care know to be true: eye accidents can very easily happen at home. In fact, about half of the 2.5 million eye injuries that happen every year occur at home, while the other half happen while playing sports or on the job. Home repair and the use of power tools is a very common cause of harm, attributing to 1 out of 4 eye injuries.

Sadly, these injuries often lead to some degree of permanent vision loss or damage. It is easy to become complacent while doing everyday chores, but these staggering statistics emphasize the importance of protecting the eyes in seemingly harmless, everyday situations. Permanent damage can happen in an instant.

The best way to avoid permanent injury to your vision is to properly prepare for your situation beforehand. Wearing approved eye protection, avoiding any unnecessary hazardous situations, and being aware of people around you are proactive ways you can keep your eyes safe. Safety glasses, such as those approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are meant to protect your eyes from a variety of household instances, including household cleaning chemicals, constructions dust and particles, lawn care accidents, and even battery acid spills and sparks, which are all potential culprits when it comes to affecting your eyes. Whether you are cleaning, working on a project in the garage, or doing a remodeling job in the house, it is important to remember that safety glasses are a vital “tool” to use in order to protect your vision for life.

Other tips to remember in avoiding injury to the eyes is to always provide proper lighting in your home to avoid eye strain, keeping eye washes on hand in case of emergencies, and to schedule regular vision check-ups and screenings with your ophthalmologist to monitor any potential vision changes. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that is more than true when it comes to the importance of protecting your vision.

Has it been a while since you had your last vision check-up? Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors. Or send us a quick note on our Contact Page.