Experts
Focus On Eye Protection During Summer Months
July
Is Eye Injury Prevention Month
Summer
is the season of spending time outdoors, but with many of the activities
enjoyed by millions of Americans there are risks for eye injuries.
An
estimated 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the US each year, with most
occurring during the summer months.
As a result, nearly
1 million Americans have permanent visual impairment, and more than
75 percent of these people are blind in one eye, according to the US
Eye Injury Registry.
The American
Academy of Ophthalmology has designated July as Eye
Injury Prevention Month to bring attention to this problem.
So, as you work,
play, clean, or simply savor the sun, take precautions to protect your
eyes.
Take
Precautions To Prevent Sun Damage
Sunglasses are
the most important tool in your eye-protection arsenal, says Betsy van
Die, Prevent Blindness America spokeswoman.
"They don't
have to cost a fortune, but the important thing is that they are marked
to block UV rays," van Die says.
Ultraviolet rays
can cause sunburned corneas, cancer of the eyelid, and increased risk
of eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, she says.
The rays also can
cause pterygium, a benign tissue growth that begins in the white of
the eye but can extend into the cornea.
"When that
happens, vision can become blocked and surgery is then necessary,"
says van Die, noting that tennis player Jennifer Capriati had surgery
on both eyes for pterygium last fall.
For the best protection,
you should wear sunglasses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UV
radiation. When buying sunglasses, look for a sticker on them that offers
that measure of safety. Do not buy sunglasses that just say they "block
harmful UV," van Die says.
"Everybody
is at risk [of UV damage]," adds van Die, "whether it's a
child or an adult. Anybody who spends time in the sun and exposes their
eyes to the sun without wearing sunglasses or a hat is at risk."
Hats can be used
as an alternative.
"Wide-brimmed
hats by themselves will give some protection from UV rays," she
says.
Protective
Gear Stops Flying Materials
Summer is also
the season when individuals spend time making repairs to their homes
or beautify yards. Experts urge the use of safety glasses, tight-fitting
goggles, or a face mask to prevent injury.
Goggles or safety
glasses should be used whenever a person works with power equipment
for yard work. You also should be sure that anyone who is near a lawnmower,
power trimmer, or edger is similarly equipped.
"If kids are
watching you, they should also wear goggles even if they're not doing
any work," van Die says. "Even sunglasses are better than
nothing at all, because they will prevent things from flying up into
your eyes."
To further reduce
a chance of injury, always check for stones, twigs, or other debris
before using yard equipment. They can become dangerous projectiles after
shooting out of a lawnmower's blades or off a weed trimmer's cord.
Goggles also should
be worn when using household chemicals, many of which can burn the eye's
delicate tissues. These include cleaning solutions, pool chemicals,
or garden sprays.
Similar precautions
should be taken when jump-starting a car - battery acid, sparks, or
debris flying from a damaged auto battery can cause severe damage.
Dr. Ron Danis, a
professor of ophthalmology at Indiana University, also recommends that
parents and children consider wearing protective gear when playing summer
sports.
Baseball and softball
games result in a surprising amount of eye damage, Dr. Danis says, noting
that every one in 20 serious eye injuries are related to the two sports.
"There are
so many kids playing ball over the summer that if you look at the numbers,
they add up," Danis says.
The batter is most at risk for injury, he says. Batters already wear
a protective helmet, but Danis thinks an extra step could further trim
the chance of eye injury.
"I strongly
endorse the use of a face plate on the helmet, which is a minor modification
of equipment they have to wear anyway," Danis says.
Paintball is another
summertime pastime that has been linked to an increasing number of eye
injuries, Danis says.
Back in the early 1990s, when paintball equipment was expensive and
not easily obtainable, it "wasn't even on our radar," Danis
says.
The guns, which
shoot high-velocity paint capsules, were used only in well-supervised
paintball courses, which required people to wear protective gear and
goggles.
Now, more people
are buying paintball guns for home use, and the number of eye injuries
is rising, he says.
The same goes for
BB and pellet guns, which continue to be a factor in 5 percent to 6
percent of accidental eye injuries, Danis says. "Most of these
injuries are, of course, in children, and most involve a person who
didn't shoot the gun."
Eyewear approved
by the American National Standard Practice for Occupational
and Educational Eye and Face Protection provides the best defense.
Look for the "ANSI Z87" mark on the frames or lenses.
Goggles approved
by the American Society for Testing and Materials also provide good
eye protection for people playing sports.
Always consult your
physician for more information.
Tips
for Avoiding Eye Injury at Home
- Wash your hands
after using household chemicals.
- Ensure there
are no sharp corners on the edges of furnishing and home fixtures.
- Wear chemical
safety goggles when using hazardous solvents and detergents, and do
not mix cleaning agents.
- Turn spray nozzles
away from your face.
Read and follow directions when opening bottle-tops (i.e. wine, carbonated
beverages).
- Read and follow
directions when playing games and operating equipment.
- Provide lights
and handrails to improve safety on stairs.
- Keep paints,
pesticides, and fertilizers properly stored in a secure area.
- Wear recommended
protective goggles, helmets, and safety gear.
- Use guards on
all power equipment.
- Wear ultraviolet
(UV)-protective sunglasses.
- Never look directly
at the sun (especially during an eclipse).
Always consult your physician for more information.
Online
Resources
American
Academy of Ophthalmology
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National
Eye Institute (NEI)
National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
Prevent
Blindness America
US
Department of Heath and Human Services
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