EYE SAFETY PREPAREDNESS Knowing what to do for an eye emergency can save valuable time and possibly prevent vision loss. Be Prepared! WEAR eye protection for all hazardous activities and sports at school, home and on the job that could lead to an eye injury. DO stock a first aid kit with a rigid eye shield and commercial eyewash (make sure it is not expired) before engaging in activities where an eye injury could occur. DO NOT assume that any eye injury is harmless. When in doubt, see an eye doctor promptly.

CUT AND PUNCTURES * DO NOT wash out eye with water or any other liquid. * DO NOT try to remove an object that is stuck in the eye. * Cover the eye with a rigid shield or the bottom half of a paper cup without pressure. Secure the shield or cup to the brow above the eye and the cheekbone below the eye without putting pressure on the eye. *Seek emergency medical care immediately. SOMETHING IN THE EYE * DO NOT rub the eye. * Try to let tears wash the speck out or use a commercial eyewash. * Try lifting upper eyelid outward. Look down over the lower lid. * DO NOT use tweezers or other items to try and remove the speck. * If it doesn’t wash out, see an eye doctor immediately. BLOWS TO THE EYE * Apply cold compress without pressure. * Seek emergency medical care in cases of pain, blurry vision, one eye sticks out more than the other, blood inside the eye, or discoloration (black eye), which could mean internal eye damage.

FIREWORKS SAFETY
Every year, thousands of Americans are injured due to fireworks, specifically during the Fourth of July holiday period. Ocular burns are the most frequent type of eye injury from fireworks.
We urge everyone to avoid fireworks and spend the 4th of July with family and friends, instead of in the emergency room!

HALLOWEEN EYE SAFETY

HALLOWEEN is just around the corner.  If your children enjoy dressing up and trick-or-treating thru the neighborhood for candy, make sure they do it safely. Many eye injuries are reported every year as a result of Halloween activities.


Masks, wigs and eye patches are fun Halloween accessories, but make sure they don't block visibility. Some masks are very dangerous for children because they block their side vision.

If you decide to disguise your child with make-up instead of a mask, use hypo-allergenic options and keep it away from the eyes. It's a good idea to carry a wet towel or washcloth in case the make-up begins to run while trick-or-treating. Running around in a costume makes some kids perspire, so a quick clean-up around the eye area may be necessary before the night is over.


Some costumes don't seem complete without swords or wands. Still, do not allow your child to carry sharp objects. Sharp, pointed props endanger your child eyes as well as the eyes of other children.


Older kids and adults often complete their Halloween costumes with cosmetic contact lenses. Remember that contact lenses are medical devices and require a valid prescription. If not used safely, contact lens use could lead to vision loss.

Protective Eyewear and Sports Safety

When I was growing up there was not much of an emphasis on protecting the eyes during sporting competitions.
At that time many did not have the knowledge of how simple protective sports eyewear could help prevent eye injury and in many cases save vision and prevent blindness in the unfortunate event of a serious sports related eye injury.
Today, many more individuals and parents are diligent to make sure they and their children are properly protecting their vision during sporting activities, and furthermore there are many choices in today's protective eyewear market that allow athletes to play safely and look good at the same time.

Please read the information below from Prevent Blindness America and All About Vision about the importance of Sports Safety.

Eye Safety News

Tips for Keeping Your Kids' Eyes Safe During Spring/Summer Sports

February 16, 2011 — Each year in the United States, 25,000 kids under 15 have sports-related eye injuries, most of which are preventable (source: Prevent Blindness America).

To protect your children's eyes, follow these valuable tips from Dr. Scott Lambert, a professor of ophthalmology at Emory University and a member of the advisory council for the
Pediatric Cataract Initiative:

• Children in sports need protective eyewear, just as they need helmets and protective padding. Balls, bats and jabs from other participants can cause both temporary injuries and long-term vision problems — even cataracts and blindness. Choose protective eyewear with wraparound frames, to protect the eyes from all sides.

• Regular eyeglasses and sunglasses don't protect the eyes, because they are not strong enough to withstand flying objects and hard blows; your kids need protective eyewear as well. You can get it with or without a prescription, but be sure the lenses are both impact-and scratch-resistant.

• Sun exposure damages the eyes, so kids need protection from both UVA and UVB rays with either good-quality sunglasses or protective eyewear. If the labels don't specify UVA and UVB protection levels, you can find out how protective the products are by having your eye doctor check their UV blockage with a spectrophotometer.

These tips can help you and your family remain as safe as possible when engaging in sports this spring and summer.