There are almost a million eye injuries that occur in the United States each year. With nearly half of these occurring in the home, it is estimated that 90% of them are entirely preventable.

Eyesight Facts:

Accidental eye injuries are one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the United States.
Despite most people thinking that eye injuries are most common on the job, the majority occur at home.
Cleaning, cooking, yard work and home repairs account for more than 40% of eye injuries.
Another 40% of eye injuries are related to sports and recreational activities.
Eyesight can be damaged by the sun.
More than 78% of people who were injured were not wearing protective eyewear.

If we are not continually assessing our surroundings, accidents can happen. Our risks for eye injuries increase with feeling rushed, tired or just performing tasks that we are unfamiliar with.

The Home is Full of Risks

In fact, our homes are full of ordinary objects and household chemicals that can cause permanent harm to our eyesight. Experts say that most eye injuries are preventable by wearing protective eyewear and taking some simple precautions. Protective eyewear should be worn when using any substances that could damage the eyes or when around any flying object or debris.

Precautionary Measures

Simple precautions can be taken to keep yourself protected from eye injuries:

Wear protective eyewear when participating in any sports or recreational activity.
Wear safety goggles when working in the yard, in a family woodshop, working on a car or around household chemicals.
Never use fireworks at home.
Always wear sunglasses outside that have 97 to 100% UV protection. The ones that wrap around to the temples offer the most protection.

Early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are also essential to eye health and maintaining good vision. Adults between the ages of 40 and 65 should have eye exams every 2 to 4 years and over the age of 65 every 1 to 2 years. Children with a history of vision problems should be screened before the age of 5.

A Blow to the Eye

Any blow to the eye can cause several types of injuries.

Traumatic iritis is an inflammation caused by a blow to the eye.
Orbital blowout fracture is a break or crack in the bones that surround the eye.
Hyphema or bleeding in the eye.
Retinal detachment that can be caused by tears or breaks in the retina.

If you’ve suffered an eye injury, your doctor may be able to diagnose it or may refer you to a specialist. Your eyes will be assessed with an eye examination and checked for an abrasion or a foreign substance. A CT scan may be ordered to look at the bones around the eye as well as the position of the muscles surrounding it.

If your doctor has ordered diagnostic imaging for an eye injury, we are here to help. Call Vital Imaging at (305) 596-9992 to schedule your appointment today.