March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Did you know that an average of 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace each year? These injuries result in hundreds of missed days of work and an estimated $300 million spent on worker’s compensation and medical treatments.
Workplace eye injuries could be mild such as an abrasion or irritation due to flying materials, dust or shards, or severe in the case of a retinal detachment if the eye or head has suffered a blunt force or other trauma.
A retinal detachment is a serious condition in which the retina has separated from the main layers of the eye. Fluid then collects in this gap, or detachment, and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated properly.
As March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, our board-certified retina specialists at Austin Retina Associates are sharing how you can prevent eye injuries in the workplace.
How can you prevent eye injuries in the workplace?
One of the main things you can do to practice eye safety in the workplace and prevent injury, especially if you work with hazardous materials, heavy machinery, or sharp tools and objects, is to use protective eyewear.
Most workplaces involving physical labor will have their own safety directives and requirements for eyewear protection, but here are a few general guidelines:
● Wear safety glasses with side protection/shields when working with small particles, dust, or potentially flying debris or objects
● Wear safety goggles if you are working with chemicals or possibly irritating materials
● Use a combination or safety glasses/goggles and face shields or helmets if working with lasers, fiber optics, radiocatcive materials, or are welding or working with fire or flammable substances
If you or a fellow coworker experiences an eye injury on the job, be sure to seek medical attention immediately when:
● Vision becomes blurred or impaired in any way
● The eyelid is cut or torn
● The eye has become distended and sticks out more than the other eye
● Pupil size has changed
● Blood is visible in the whites of the eye
● Something is lodged under the eyelid and can’t be removed
How is an eye injury treated?
For minor irritations and abrasions, eye washing and medicated drops alone may help an injury to heal.
For more traumatic injuries, such as a retinal detachment, surgery may be required by a retina specialist trained in repairing the delicate layers and tissues within the eyes.
Retinal detachments are treated via a procedure known as a trans pars plana vitrectomy, or TPPV, which is performed in a hospital and involves removing the gel-like vitreous liquid and replacing it with a saline solution as the retina can be repaired and surgically reattached.
Consult with a Retina Specialist Today
Austin Retina Associates treats a wide range of retinal conditions. Our experienced team of retina specialists in Austin are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life.
Contact us at 800-252-8259, or request an appointment online at one of our retina treatment centers located in Austin and throughout Central Texas.
For the latest Austin Retina news, visit our blog or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
