March is Workplace Eye Wellness Awareness Month

March is the American Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) Workplace Eye Wellness Month. What does that mean for you?

According to the AAO, "Each year, nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury." The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 2,000 U.S. workers experience eye injuries on the job every day. The sad thing is, almost all of them are preventable.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends eye protection when working around the following:

• Projectiles (dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles)

• Chemicals (splashes and fumes)

• Radiation (especially visible light, ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared radiation, and lasers)

• Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or HIV) from blood and body fluids

Sometimes, we are just cavalier and skip wearing eye protection because it's inconvenient. Injuries happen in the obvious settings like grinding metal and welding, but also in situations that might seem eye safe. Who would think that a rock shot from a lawnmower could make it up to the eye? It can. I've seen it. How about a nail gun ricochet? I've seen that too, more than once. You could imagine, that isn't pretty.

Just remember this...if material is moving around, whether you can see it or not, it can land in your eye. Just assume that it will and wear eye protection. It may very well save your vision or even your eye.

Do you wear eye protection regularly for work or could you be wearing eye protection more regularly? Let us know in the comments below.

If you are in need of dependable yet stylish eye protection, come see us for advice.