PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM EYE RELATED INJURY
Eye injuries in the workplace can have devastating consequences — sometimes causing permanent vision loss and blindness. Experts believe that more than 90 percent of workplace eye injuries are preventable. Here, the team at King LASIK explains what you need to know about eye injuries at work.
Potential Workplace Hazards
The most dangerous workplace hazards include chemicals, projectiles and radiation. These are common in the following occupations:
- Construction
- Carpentry
- Auto repair
- Electrical work
- Manufacturing
How You Can Protect Your Eyes from Injury
The first thing you can do to protect your eyes from injury is to identify potential dangers in the workplace. Once you’ve done that, ask yourself if there is anything you can do to eliminate these hazards. For example, can you use a machine guard or a work screen to put a barrier between you and the potential hazard?
Then, you should be diligent about wearing the appropriate eye protection, whether it be goggles, safety glasses, face shields or even helmets. (Your employer should have information about the standard requirements for protection.) Finally, ensure that your equipment fits comfortably and securely, and keep it in good condition. If your goggles or glasses become scratched or dirty, they can cause visual problems and possibly contribute to an accident.
In Case of an Emergency
If you experience an eye injury in the workplace, seek immediate medical attention.
- Do not attempt to dislodge an object that has become stuck in the eye. Cover the eye and go to the emergency room.
- If you suffer a blow to the eye, you can apply a cold compress gently to the affected area.
- If a chemical gets in your eye, flush it with water for 15 minutes. Do not attempt to neutralize chemicals by putting another substance in the eye.
- If you get a particle in the eye, avoid rubbing it. Carefully irrigate the eye with an artificial tear solution or lift the upper lid to get the particle out.
Digital Eye Strain
Another potentially dangerous hazard is something that many of us use every day for hours at a time: computers. Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain describes problems stemming from the prolonged use of a computer, tablet, e-reader and/or cell phone. If you work a desk job that requires you to work on a computer for eight hours a day, give your eyes mini-breaks and stare at something across the room, or try some of our other tips to relieve digital eye strain.
Talk to Our Eye Doctors
To learn more about your eye health, or how to improve your vision for better job performance, please contact King LASIK today. Call (877) 551-2020 to schedule a consultation.