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Prevent an Eye Emergency Around Chemicals and Construction by Wearing Goggles

November 17, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Eye injuries in the workplace are much more common than you may think. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports about 2,000 job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment every day. That is just in the United States, alone. And of those 2,000 occupational eye injuries, eye doctors believe that an incredible 90% could have been prevented with the use of proper eye protection. Because of this, the Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of protective eyewear – goggles, face shields, safety glasses, or full-face respirators – whenever there is a reasonable probability of eye injury.

Proper eye protection differs depending on the specific situation and eye hazards present.

• Safety glasses with side shields should be worn in situations where foreign objects – dust, dirt, sawdust, etc. – will be flying around.

• Goggles should be worn whenever you are working with chemicals

• Specially made safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets should be worn near hazardous radiation

If you have any questions about eyewear, consult your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist. They should be able to help you determine what type of eye protection you need. You should always wear appropriate eye protection wherever and whenever there is any sort of threat of eye injury, especially at work.

High-risk occupations for eye injuries include:

• Construction

• Manufacturing

• Carpentry

• Auto Repair

• Electrical Work

• Plumbing

• Welding

• Maintenance

If you experience any eye injury, even if it seems minor, call your eye doctor immediately to schedule an eye exam or have a friend or family member drive you to the emergency room. Eye injuries are serious and require prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Led by Dr. Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Protecting Your Eyes at Work

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month :: Anne Arundel Eye Center

October 7, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

More than 1 million people suffer from eye injuries every year in the United States, most of which could have been avoided. For this reason, October was named Eye Injury Prevention Month. The hope is that organizations will help spread awareness and individuals will begin to take the necessary precautions – wearing protective eyewear – when performing tasks that have any likelihood of eye-related injury, injuries that could lead to more serious medical conditions like red eye, traumatic cataract or traumatic glaucoma. Such everyday activities include: mowing the lawn, using household chemicals, working on your car, etc.

Prevention is the most important step in protecting your eyes from injury. Upwards of 90% of all reported eye injuries could have been avoided if proper eyewear was utilized. Yet, according to a national survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only 35 percent of respondents said they always wear protective eyewear when performing home repairs or maintenance; even fewer do so while playing sports.

So take the necessary precautions and wear protective eyewear when performing a task that has any likelihood of eye-related injury. However, if you still do experience an eye injury, even if it seems minor, call your eye doctor immediately to schedule an eye exam or visit the emergency room. Eye injuries are serious and require prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Eye Injury Facts:

Men are more likely to sustain an eye injury than women.
Each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment, yet nearly half (44.7 percent) of all eye injuries occur in the home.
More than 40 percent of eye injuries reported 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.
More than 40 percent of eye injuries every year are related to sports or recreational activities.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Preventing Eye Injuries GetEyeSmart.org

Eye Safety Fact Sheet ModernEye.com

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month EyeBoston.com

Early Glaucoma Detection:: Anne Arundel Eye Center

September 23, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss in the United States behind only cataracts. Currently affecting more than 3 million Americans – though half are unaware they even have the eye disease – glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This pressure comes from a buildup of normal fluid called the aqueous humor, which is naturally and continuously produced in the front of your eye.

Everyone is at risk of glaucoma. However, certain factors can increase that risk, including: if you are over 60 years of age, if you are African American, if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, hypertension, or if you need steroids.

To make the situation worse, many people will not experience any symptoms of glaucoma until they begin to lose their vision. The most common type of glaucoma induced vision loss is tunnel vision, the gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. Other signs and symptoms include: severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, sudden onset of visual disturbance (often in low light), blurred/blurry vision, halos around lights, and reddening of the eye.

Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, regularly scheduled eye exams, early detection, and treatment (medication and possibly surgery) can help slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by this disease.

Since glaucoma damage begins well before conventional tests can identify it, we are increasingly thankful for the ability to identify early, subtle nerve damage. Doctors are able to utilize advanced imaging devices – special cameras – to create a three dimensional image of the optic nerve, the part of the eye where the eye pressure does its damage. These tests use infra red light or laser light to create a sophisticated computer aided image of the central portion of the optic nerve called the optic cup, and the retinal layer around the nerve, the nerve fiber later, to help predict who might be at risk for vision loss.

These sophisticated early detection devices are helping doctors “predict the future” of glaucoma and intervene long before you have any perceptible loss of visual function.

Besides, Early detection equals earlier, simpler and more effective treatment.

You can follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Glaucoma MayoClinic.com

Glaucoma: Finding Out If You Are At Risk

July 22, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

You may have heard of glaucoma which is a common eye disorder and one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. But what else do you really know about it and are you at risk?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve suffers damage and can permanently impair vision in the eye(s). There are different types of glaucoma and the disease can present itself without warning or symptoms. The most common form is the result of elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye and sometimes other factors that cause the fibers running through the optic nerve to slowly deteriorate. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk. However, certain factors can increase that risk, including: if you are over 60 years of age, if you are African American, if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, hypertension, or if you are a steroid user.

Over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, yet half are unaware that they even have the disease. This is why regular eye exams are so important. While there is no cure for glaucoma, these eye exams, early detection, and treatment (medication and possibly surgery) can help slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by this disease.

So, when was the last time you had a thorough eye exam?

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center to meet with cataracts and glaucoma specialist Dr. Samuel Boles, or if you simply have a questions about what you have just read, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

You can check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as well!