A Cemstone Companies Safety Edition
EYE WELNESS MONTH
Your eyes are an important part of your health. Taking care of your eyes can be a priority just like eating healthy and physical activity. According to the CDC, every single day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment.
Proper eye protection minimizes the risk of significant eye injury. The type of eye protection that should be used depends on the hazards in the home or workplace. For example, someone working in an area that has particles, flying objects, or dust, should wear safety glasses with side protection (side shields). If working near hazardous radiation, or mechanical irritants, welding, lasers, or fiber optics) special-purpose safety glasses, face shields, welding or hard hats designed for that task should be worn.
For those in an office setting, the average American worker spends seven hours a day on the computer either in the office or working from home, according to the American Optometric Association. Employees who work primarily using digital screens, such as computer monitors, tablets and smart phones, are at increased risk of digital eye strain. Symptoms of eye strain include sore or irritated eyes, blurred vision and headaches. Practicing eye healthy habits at home, in the field, or workplace today, like wearing proper eye protection, and decreasing the amount of screen time whenever possible, can help save our sight now and for years to come.
- Gloves and safety glasses should be worn whenever near hazardous materials, flying objects, dust, machinery, etc.
- Wash hands prior to touching your eye for any reason. In case of contamination, flush immediately. Gently apply a small compress to reduce pain and swelling. Contact your ophthalmologist or get emergency attention if warranted.
- Wear safety sunglasses that block 99 percent-100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
- Screen time: Try to decrease the amount of time spent in front of these screens and/or take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest.
- Filters: Screen filters are available for smart phones, tablets, and computer screens. They decrease the amount of blue light given off from these devices that could reach the retina in the eyes.
- Anti-reflective lenses: Anti-reflective lenses reduce glare and increase contrast and also block blue light from the sun and digital devices.
EYES AND OVERALL HEALTH
Taking care of your eyes also may benefit your overall health. People with vision problems are more likely than those with good vision to have diabetes, poor hearing, heart problems, high blood pressure, lower back pain and strokes, as well as have increased risk for falls, injury and depression. Among people aged 65 and older, just 21.5 percent without vision problems reported fair to poor health.
- Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam
- Maintain your blood sugar levels – 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable. Ask your health care team to help you set and reach goals to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol—also known as the ABCs of diabetes.
- Know your family’s eye health history
- Eat right for your sight
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Wear protective eyewear
- Quit smoking or never start
- Be cool and wear your shades
- Give your eyes a rest
- Wash your hands and your contact lenses-properly
- Practice workplace eye safety