Approximately 2,000 people in the U.S. sustain an eye injury in the workplace every day. The really startling statistic is that 90% of these eye injuries could have been prevented with the use of appropriate eye protection.
In this post, your trusted optometrist at Opti-Care lists some of the most common eye hazards in the workplace and shares tips on how you can avoid them.
Common Eye Injuries in the Workplace
These are the most common eye injuries sustained in the workplace:
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Invasion of foreign bodies – Small particles may become lodged in your eyes and cause irritation or inflammation. A common example is the dust that comes from manufacturing activities.
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Blunt trauma – This usually happens when the eye is hit by a heavy or hard object. You will need an eye exam to check for internal bleeding.
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Chemical eye burns – This is a hazard in workplaces involving laboratory chemicals or industrial cleaning products. Be careful when handling highly acidic or highly alkaline substances as these can be toxic to the eyes.
Protecting Your Eyes in the Workplace
The kind of eye protection you need depends on the type of work you do. For professionals working in front of the computer for hours every day, wearing eyeglasses that protect against blue light rays is a good idea. If you’re working in laboratories or construction sites, you should wear protective eyewear such as goggles, face shields, welding helmets or full-face respirators.
Opti-Care specializes in corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses and dry eye treatments. Call us at (410) 795-8670 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation. We serve customers in Westminster and Marriottsville, MD.