Ounce of (eye) prevention better the consequences
Caution: Today’s article may cause excessive blinking. That’s because we’re going to look at eye injuries and how to avoid them (best case), or what to do if they happen, (could be really serious). And, if you’re like me, talking about your eyes causes squinting, eye closures and blinking.
First off, let’s look at how apt you are to have an eye injury. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over 2.5 million Americans suffer an eye injury each year with 50,000 of them permanently losing part or all of their vision. Of these, they reckon that ninety percent could have been avoided by using protective eyewear.
Nearly half of the injuries occur in people between the ages of 18 to 45. Males are at greater risk in all age groups and nearly half (44.1 percent) happen in the home. What? Not at work? Nope, at home.
“More than 40 percent of eye injuries were caused by projects and activities such as home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking.
More than a third (34.2 percent) of injuries in the home occurred in living areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room,” the AAO reported.
Almost 15 percent of eye injuries happen to children ages five to fourteen while participating in a sports activity. That’s the most common form of eye injury and, as said above, could mostly be prevented with the use of protective eyewear.
For all age groups, sports-related eye injuries occur most frequently in baseball, basketball and racquet sports, but your hobbies can be hazardous to your eyeballs as well. Consider wearing appropriate eye gear when there’s a risk of flying debris or other objects during activities. Remember that eyeglasses aren’t sufficient protection.
“Be careful during activities or games involving projectiles and other sharp objects that could create injury if in contact with the eye. For example, the U.S. Eye Injury Registry indicates that fishing is the number one cause of sports-related eye injuries,” AAO said. I say, if thinking about a fish hook in your eye doesn’t make you blink, nothing will.
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What do you do if you sustain an injury? Go to the Emergency Department immediately. Even if you don’t think it’s serious. Delaying medical attention might result in permanent vision loss or blindness. This is not a joke.
If an eye injury is sustained, these are the rules: do not touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye. Do not try to remove the object stuck in the eye. Do not apply ointment or medication until the ER doctor or ophthalmologist tells you to.
If your eye is cut or punctured, do not flush with water but make a shield (a paper cup taped to the bones around the eye will work) until you can get to the hospital. Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as they may increase bleeding.
When the bully kicks sand in your face, you can try eyewash to flush it out, but be sure not to rub the eye and if it doesn’t come out right away see the medico. If it’s a larger particle or foreign material try lifting the upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid, then blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle. If that doesn’t work you know what to do.
Chemical splashes should be flushed out with plenty of clean water before heading downtown and if you take a blow to the eye gently apply a small cold compress and bring that shiner in for our staff to see.
Remember, our job one is to keep you seeing and blinking.
• Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board Advisory Committee. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.