Protecting your eyes is of great importance. There are several specific instances which have custom eye protection needs – such as welding, sports, and some workplaces – but there are many situations that you will encounter at home in which eye protection is necessary.
Since the eyes are exposed to the environment around you, they are also susceptible to damage from the environment. This damage can come in a variety of forms including corneal abrasions, penetrating injury, and chemical damage.
Wear Safety Glasses at Home to Prevent Corneal Abrasions
The cornea is the clear, front surface of the eye that is primarily responsible for focusing light into the eye. Since it is on the front of the eye and exposed when the eyes are open, it becomes a common sight for abrasions due to contact with foreign bodies.
These foreign bodies may include grass clippings, pieces of sawdust, or even a fingernail or toenail from an animal. Protecting the cornea from abrasions is best accomplished by wearing safety protective glasses in high-risk activities such as sanding wood, grinding metal, and other activities which have lots of debris.
Protective glasses can be made with or without a prescription and are specifically designed and tested to provide adequate coverage of both the front of the eyes and the sides where the temples wrap around the ears.
Wear Safety Glasses at Home to Prevent Penetrating Injuries
Similar to an abrasion, a penetrating injury occurs when a foreign body completely breaks through the cornea into the space between the cornea and the iris, the anterior chamber. While corneal abrasions are much more common, penetrating injuries pose a much more severe threat to the eyes.
By penetrating the cornea, these injuries can influence the pressure in the eye, allow bacteria into the eye, and will very likely leave a significant scar. These injuries are often from small, sharp, high speed projectiles such as rocks thrown by line trimmers, shards of metal, or even a fishing hook.
In any situation where a penetrating injury is possible, it is imperative to wear appropriate safety eyewear. Based upon the situation a pair of safety glasses or goggles may be sufficient or an additional protector such as a face shield may be needed.
Wear Safety Goggles at Home to Prevent Chemical Damage
Like the rest of the body, the eyes are vulnerable to extreme damage due to strong acids or strong bases. There are a variety of chemicals which are frequently used that could cause severe damage to the eyes including: ammonia, glass polish, and car battery acid among many others.
Direct exposure to these chemicals will “burn” the eye chemically and result in a painful destruction of the tissue it contacts. The best way to prevent chemical damage is to always follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding chemical safety and adhere to any safety goggle requirements.
Often, splash goggles, which have holes for direct venting, will provide sufficient protection, but if the chemical is toxic enough, indirect venting goggles may be required to further reduce exposure of the eye surface to any airborne chemicals.
Always be Cautious and Wear Eye Protection
In any situation, it is important to be proactive and consider the possibilities of eye injuries or damage and take appropriate precautions. Safety glasses and safety goggles are important protection for your eyes.
Our optometrist at Eye Contact in Acworth, GA excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (770) 529-1925 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to have an eye exam and get a prescription to use safety glasses at home. Our eye doctor, Dr. Wes Mobley provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Acworth, Georgia and its surrounding areas.
