When you think of eye injuries, the place where you live may not be the first threat that comes to mind. But when we consider just how much work we do in and around the house, it makes sense that nearly half of all eye injuries occur at home. Almost all of them can be prevented, however.
Here’s a closer look at some common household hazards, along with prevention strategies to keep your eyes safe.
What Are the Common Sources of Eye Injuries at Home?
Many eye injuries that occur at home involve everyday activities. Cleaning, for example, can become hazardous if you’re using harsh chemicals such as bleach. The substances in household cleaners alone account for 125,000 eye injuries annually – far more than the 18,500 eye injuries that occur at work each year.
In addition to cleaning, other common causes of eye injuries include home improvement projects and yard work. The following other threats are more rare, but still worth noting:
- Cooking with foods or liquids that splatter
- Using heat tools (such as curling irons) near your face
- Opening champagne bottles
- Slips and falls caused by loose rugs and railings
How Can I Protect My Eyes at Home?
The simplest and most effective way to keep your eyes safe at home is to use protective eyewear any time you’re at risk of dangerous chemicals, splatter, or projectiles. From trimming your hedges to using power tools or abrasive cleaners, many home activities will call for eye protection.
Wearing safety glasses can reduce your risk of injury by up to 90%, whether you’re facing risks at work, home, or anywhere else. For the best protection, look for a pair approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
What Are the Safety Precautions for Eyes?
Aside from donning protective eyewear, there are a few other commonsense approaches you can take to safeguard your eyes:
- When cooking with grease or other hot liquids that could splatter, use a grease shield to keep droplets away from your face.
- Keep heat tools far enough away from your face to avoid burns.
- Open champagne bottles away from you (and other people), and hold the bottle’s neck with a towel held loosely over the cork to capture it once it’s unscrewed.
- Read the label on your cleaning agents and other chemicals, and never mix products. If there’s any risk of chemical burns to your skin, wear safety glasses, or at the very least keep the product far enough from your face to avoid splashes.
How Can I Keep My Eyes Healthy at Home?
Injury prevention is just one component of overall eye health. Eye disease, and subsequently, vision loss, can result from several other factors. Preserving your eye health and vision calls for a comprehensive and preventative approach, which should also involve:
- Cleaning and changing your contact lenses as directed
- Taking breaks from looking at digital screens, or wearing blue light protective eyewear when you do for an extended period of time
- Eating well to ensure your eyes have the nutrients they need
- Wearing sunglasses when you’re outside
- Avoiding smoking
Lastly, make regular appointments with your eye doctor part of your preventive health care routine. From keeping your prescription up-to-date and helping you prevent or manage eye diseases, your eye doctor is an important partner in your overall wellness.
Schedule an Appointment With Eye Consultants of Atlanta
If you’re due for an eye exam, schedule your appointment with the vision specialists at Eye Consultants of Atlanta. Our comprehensive services include routine vision care as well as treatment and prevention of eye disorders. Request an appointment at one of our locations online or by calling (404) 351-2220.