When Is Protective Eyewear Important?

Eye protection is more than just wearing corrective lenses or glasses. The necessary type of protection depends on the activity.

Regular glasses do not protect adequately from impacts, debris, or damage. They can even break and cause further harm. Choose polycarbonate eyewear to ensure proper protection. This material does not shatter and protects from UV light.

Jobs Where Eye Protection Is Necessary

Many occupations expose workers to eye hazards that can result in injury, strain, or illness. However, the following professions are particularly susceptible to these dangers:

• Construction work, with potential exposure to sharp tools, dust, and flying/falling objects
• Manufacturing, with the risk of exposure to tools, machinery parts, and chemicals
• Welding and other metalwork, with the danger of strong light, harmful radiation, and sharp/flying metal fragments
• Healthcare jobs such as medical lab work, surgery, and nursing, with the risk of exposure to infectious bodily fluids and waste
• Mining, with exposure to chemicals and dust
• Office work, with the risk of eye strain and damage from glare and harmful blue light from computer screens

If you work in any of these fields, assessing your eye hazards, eliminating or reducing them, and using the appropriate protective eyewear is essential. It would also help to learn how to administer first aid if an injury occurs.

Other Situations Where Protective Eyewear Is Essential

• Basketball or soccer player: Wear sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses for eye protection
• Cycling enthusiast: Remember to wear a helmet and consider glasses or sunglasses with clear lenses to protect your eyes from wind and bugs
• Baseball fan: If at bat, wear a helmet with a faceguard. If playing in the field, wear sports goggles
• Into water sports or swimming: Wear swim goggles to protect your eyes from dirt, germs, bacteria, and pool chemicals
• Sun lover: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Choose sunglasses blocking at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation
• Paintball player: Ensure to wear paintball goggles or a mask
• Ice hockey player: Wear a face mask or polycarbonate guard attached to a helmet
• Football player: Wear a helmet with a face shield
• Lacrosse player: Girls should wear protective goggles but can use headgear with complete face protection. Boys and goalies must wear a helmet with full-face masks
• Field hockey player: Goalies should wear helmets with full face masks, while all other players should wear sports goggles
• Squash or racquetball player: Wear sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses for eye protection
• Mowing the lawn: Remove any potential eye hazards, and remember to wear safety goggles
• Chemistry class or cleaning at home: Wear splash-proof goggles or safety glasses to look like a pro and protect your eyes
• Fencer: Wear a wire mesh mask to protect your entire face

Types of Protective Eyewear

Eye protection can come in various forms. These include safety glasses with shatter-resistant lenses made of polycarbonate or propionate plastic. Non-vented goggles protect the eyes from vapors, mists, fumes, or other hazards and must completely cover the eyes. Vented goggles protect from liquids with no vapor or mist danger.

Face shields provide complete face protection. It is best to use them with goggles to catch any liquids that might pass the shield. It would be best to choose eye protection based on the hazard you encounter.

Common Types of Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can range from minor to severe. It is best to seek treatment to prevent permanent damage and vision loss. Common eye injuries include corneal abrasions, eye lacerations, penetrating or foreign objects in the eye, chemical burns, eye swelling, and subconjunctival hemorrhages.

Conclusion

Protective eyewear is crucial for maintaining eye health and avoiding injury. Most eye injuries are preventable by wearing the appropriate protective eyewear.

For more on protective eyewear, visit Advanced Eyecare Center PC at our Urbandale, Iowa, office. Call 515-303-4488 to schedule an appointment today.