There are an astonishing number of eye injuries occurring everyday in the workplace, resulting in approximately 300,000 Emergency Room visits per year across the nation (according to the CDC).
The most dangerous occupations are what you may expect – construction, mining and manufacturing. Surprisingly, there are quite a few other professions that pose potential risks to eye injuries as well, that are often times overlooked. To name a few, healthcare and social assistance, agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and leisure and hospitality all make the list. Folks working with computers are also at an increased risk for eye disorders, such as Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain.
The best thing you can do to protect your vision is to assess the possible dangers at your workplace, and use quality eyewear and protection whenever possible. For folks spending hours a day staring at a computer screen, we recommend practicing the 20-20-20 rule. Eye physicians recommend that every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This should help relieve your eyes from common eye strain and give them a quick break from your computer screen!
If you or someone you’re with happen to experience a serious eye injury at the workplace, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has some great tips for what to do next.
For all eye injuries:
• DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
• DO NOT try to remove the object stuck in the eye.
• Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye.
• See a doctor as soon as possible, preferably an ophthalmologist.
If your eye has been cut or punctured:
• Gently place a shield over the eye. The bottom of a paper cup taped to the bones surrounding the eye can serve as a shield until you get medical attention.
• DO NOT rinse with water.
• DO NOT remove the object stuck in eye.
• DO NOT rub or apply pressure to eye.
• Avoid giving aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding.
• After you have finished protecting the eye, see a physician immediately.
If you get a particle or foreign material in your eye:
• DO NOT rub the eye.
• Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid.
• Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle.
• If the particle remains, keep your eye closed and seek medical attention.
In case of a chemical burn to the eye:
• Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water.
• Seek emergency medical treatment right away.
To treat a blow to the eye:
• Gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
• DO NOT apply any pressure.
• If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your Eye M.D. or emergency room.
• Remember that even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury.
To treat sand or small debris in the eye:
• Use eyewash to flush the eye out.
• DO NOT rub the eye.
• If the debris doesn’t come out, lightly bandage the eye and see an Eye M.D. or visit the nearest emergency room.
Sources: www.aao.org & www.aoa.org
