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Mowing the
lawn, adding chemicals to the pool,
playing summer sports, or jump-starting
your car or lawn mower when it has a dead
battery: These are just a few activities
that can lead to an eye injury or even
blindness.
Eye injuries are extremely common. They
happen everywhere: at home, at work, at
school, on the basketball court and on the
sports field. Nearly 1 million Americans
have lost some of their vision due to
injuries. As an eye specialist, I find
this very frustrating, since most of these
eye injuries could have been prevented.
Almost 90 percent of all eye damage can be
prevented.
Jump-starting a car or a riding lawn mower
with a dead battery can go terribly wrong
if the battery explodes. Read all labels
and instructions when jump-starting a dead
battery. At right are instructions you can
clip and save for a time when you'll need
them. Or give a copy to a friend. Remember
that even the highly skilled can have
accidents. Sparks, dust, broken fragments
or fumes can cut or burn your eyes.
Many eye injuries due to sports are
preventable.
Baseball, basketball and racquet sports
are the largest causes of eye injuries in
sports activities. The real tragedy is
that most of these injuries are to
children. The junior high school years are
the most dangerous, and boys are involved
in almost 90 percent of eye accidents.
The most blinding injuries come from
projectile "toys" such as BB guns, pellet
guns, darts, sling-shots and bows and
arrows.
Take precautions! Observe the safety rules
when you or your children are at play.
Children must be taught to play safely and
parents must be alert to hazardous play
things. Can eye injuries be prevented?
Yes, injuries can be prevented almost 100
percent of the time with proper eye safety
practices and appropriate eye protection.
Anyone who normally wears eyeglasses can
have their prescription made up in safety
glasses with stronger lenses and frames to
protect their eyes while playing sports
activities. Clear eye-protectors are also
available from sporting good stores,
sports facilities or from eye doctors or
opticians. But remember -- eye protectors
offer absolutely NO protection if they
remain in your gym bag, locker or glove
compartment!
Eye safety is no accident. It is no
different from wearing your seatbelt or
knowing not to touch a red-hot stove. |
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Dr. Mark
Sibley
Dr. Mark
Sibley, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a Board
Certified Ophthalmologist and laser
specialist who practices locally. He is
medical advisor to the Society to Prevent
Blindness and to the American Diabetes
Association, and is team ophthalmologist
for the Devil Rays. |
