The 'eyes' have it Published June 15, 2010 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- When most people go out to mow the lawn, jump-start the car or perform other ordinary household activities, the last thing many think about is their eyes. However, it should be one of the first. Approximately one million eye injuries occur each year in the United States. According to the U.S. Eye Injury Registry, 43 percent of eye injuries occur in the home. The astonishing factor is 90 percent of these injuries could have been prevented if precautions were taken. In honor of National Prevention of Eye Injuries Week, ophthalmologists urge everyone to consider the following tips to help protect their eyes: · Always keep a pair of goggles in the trunk of the car in case you need to jump-start the battery. Battery acid, sparks and flying debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage eyes. · Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn eyes. Always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure spray nozzles point away before spraying. Wear safety goggles and wash hands thoroughly when finished. · Check for yard debris and put on safety goggles before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger. Rocks, stones and twigs can become dangerous projectiles if they shoot from the blades. · In the workshop or garage, consider the work being done and wear safety goggles to shield eyes from flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks and splashing chemicals. Many objects can fly into the eyes unexpectedly and cause an injury. · In the industrial workplace, wear appropriate safety eyewear (with a "Z87" mark on the lens or frame) for ones occupation. Work site injuries often involve automobile repair-related workers and construction-related workers, such as welders, plumbers, construction laborers, machine operators and carpenters. 100,000 workers each year are disabled because of vision loss due to injury. Check with employers or ophthalmologists to learn about the safety eyewear appropriate for the occupation. · Always wear appropriate sport-specific protective eyewear when participating in high-risk sports, such as baseball, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, football, soccer, paintball and racquet sports. All protective eyewear should be fitted by an eye care professional and have lenses made of polycarbonate, a material that is ten times more impact-resistant than other plastics. When in doubt, consult an ophthalmologist for the correct type of eyewear. · Wear aquatic goggles when swimming. Ponds and lakes can harbor acanthamoeba, a protozoan that can get underneath a contact lens and cause inflammation of the cornea. Also, Chlorine in swimming pools can make eyes red and puffy. · Wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors. Make sure the label states the lenses block 99 or 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to use appropriate safety eyewear when welding to protect eyes from UV radiation. If you get an eye injury, seek medical help immediately. · Injuries such as cuts, chemical burns or foreign bodies stuck in the eye are emergencies. Contact an ophthalmologist or emergency room for help immediately. · Even a seemingly light blow can cause a serious eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual problem occurs after a blow, contact an ophthalmologist or emergency department immediately. · In case of a chemical burn to the eye, flush the eye with clean water and seek emergency medical treatment immediately. For more information about eye safety, contact the 5th Bomb Wing safety office at 723-2259.