Eyes are natural gifts that let us see the world around us. Through these beautiful windows, we see life happen. The eye deserves the utmost care and safety to protect our vision. In this blog, we share the easy and advised safety tips recommended by expert eye specialists.
Eye safety tips for different routine activities:
- Sports and Recreational Activities: Wear appropriate protective eyewear: Use safety goggles or sports goggles specifically designed for the activity you are engaging in. They should be impact-resistant and fit securely on your face.
- Use helmets with face shields: In activities like football, hockey, or lacrosse, where head injuries are common, use helmets equipped with face shields or visors to protect your eyes from direct impacts.
- Do-it-yourself DIY Projects and Home Repairs: Use safety goggles or glasses; when using power tools, working with chemicals, or doing any task that poses a risk of flying debris, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. Follow instructions and guidelines: Read and adhere to safety instructions and guidelines provided with your tools and equipment.
- Working with Chemicals: while handling chemicals, wear appropriate eye protection: Use chemical splash goggles or full-face respirators with integrated eye protection when handling hazardous chemicals. Work in well-ventilated areas and ensure adequate ventilation prevents chemical fumes from reaching your eyes.
- Swimming: Wear swim goggles: In chlorinated pools, the chemicals can irritate your eyes, so use swim goggles to protect them and maintain clear vision underwater. Avoid swimming in polluted water: Swimming in lakes, rivers, or oceans with high pollution levels can increase the risk of eye infections.
- Digital screen exposure: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: which implies taking a 20-second break after every 20 minutes while looking at something object roughly 20 feet away to keep your eyes from getting strained. Put the machine in the right place: Make sure your computer is about 20 inches away from your eyes and at eye level to avoid eye strain.
- Outdoor Activities: UV rays are known to be harmful to the eyes; hence choose shades that block out 100% of them. Look for a pair that covers your eyes thoroughly and wraps around the sides for maximum protection. wear a wide-brimmed hat with a wide brim to further protect your eyes from sunlight.
- Fireworks and Firecrackers: Never handle fireworks: Leave fireworks displays to trained professionals, as they can cause severe eye injuries if not handled properly.
- Airsoft, Paintball, and BB Guns: Wear complete eye protection: Use goggles or masks specifically designed for these activities, as regular eyeglasses are insufficient to protect against high-speed projectiles.
- Driving: Keep a safe distance: Stay a safe distance behind the car in front of you to avoid getting hit by garbage thrown up by other cars.
- Preventing Eye Strain (for prolonged activities): Adjust lighting: Ensure adequate lighting to reduce strain when reading, writing, or doing close-up tasks. Blink frequently: Remind yourself to blink often to keep your eyes moist. Adjust display settings: Adjust your screens’ brightness, contrast, and font size to make them comfortable for your eyes.
Blog Summary
Remember that your eyes are precious, and taking simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries and maintain good eye health throughout various activities. If you experience any eye discomfort, pain, or changes in vision after an incident, seek immediate medical attention from an eye care professional. At Dr Manpreet’s global eye hospital Patiala, we have regular free sessions on patient counselling for eye safety and healthy vision.