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Eye Injury Misconceptions

November 26, 2012 by
Edge Falcon Tactical Safety Glasses with Black Frame and G-15 Lens

Edge Falcon Tactical Safety Glasses with Black Frame and G-15 Lens

Eye injury is one of the most prevalent injuries in the workplace and on the sports field, but it is also the easiest to prevent. The following addresses three of the most common misconceptions related to eye injury as well as solutions to the issues they present.

  1. Safety glasses are not suitable for preventing all types of eye injuries. According to Achieve Safety, safety glasses are best for preventing injuries from particles or objects that come straight towards a person’s eye. In other words, a foreign object can still come in through the sides or perhaps come in under safety glasses and damage the eye.

Wearing the right type of protection for different eye hazards is essential in preventing them. For example, when performing tasks where a foreign object can get in through the sides or bottom of safety glasses, like when using a grinding wheel or rotating wire brushes, wear goggles or perhaps a full face shield plus goggles. The bottom line is to wear the correct gear for the task at hand, and one type of protection does not necessarily work for all circumstances.

  1. Wearing regular sunglasses or eyeglasses will not prevent sports injuries and often can make an injury worse. Eye2Brain says that fashion sunglasses and eyeglasses made for vision correction only do not protect against sports injuries because they are made from different material than protective athletic eyewear. In fact, fashion sunglasses and corrective eyeglasses often make an injury worse or even cause an injury when they shatter from a blunt force and the pieces go into the eye.

Choose the best athletic eyewear for your specific activity. A solution exists for every sport from fishing to baseball to running.

  1. While most people realize the damage the sun can do to skin, many still fail to realize how much the sun can also damage the eyes. In ‘Eye’ didn’t know that: 5 leading misconceptions about eye health, Lisa Rademakers addresses some of the leading misconceptions about eye health, including sun damage. The article states that there are a variety of eye conditions that can be caused by sun exposure, including cataracts and macular degeneration.

To protect eyes, wear sunglasses that protect against UVB and UVA rays. In addition, wearing an amber-colored lens can not only provide added protection but can also increase visibility by increasing contrast and decreasing glare.

While every person has unique needs with regard to protective eyewear, there is no shortage of eyewear to meet every person’s unique needs. From medical safety eye protection to sports eyewear to RX ready safety eyewear, an affordable solution exists to meet every unique situation.

Take the time to analyze your specific needs and where you feel you are most at-risk for eye injury. Then, take the time to find the best solution for avoiding one of the most preventable injuries that people sustain, injury to the eyes.

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Indoor UV Protection

November 6, 2012 by

UV RaysDoes being indoors mean you’re protected against harmful UV rays from the sun? Yes and no. Consider the following facts about UVA and UVB rays generated by the sun.

  • UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and are strongest in the summer.
  • UVA rays contribute to premature aging and wrinkles and are constant throughout the year
  • UVA rays account for 95% of UV radiation and are 30-50 times more prevalent than UVB rays.
  • UVB rays cannot pass through glass, while up to 50% of UVA rays can pass through glass.

Does this mean that protection from the sun by using sunscreen, sunglasses and protective closing is necessary? Again, the answer is yes and no.

The amount of UVA rays that pass through windows depends upon the type of glass as well as on the type of coating on the glass. For example, car windows have been proven to let in more than 60% of UVA rays from the sun. For buildings, recent advancements in window glass have provided a glass that reduces UV transmissions to 20%. Some types of glass can even protect against up to 99% of all UV light but are not common in residential or commercial structures.

Because the type of glass varies from one building and vehicle to another, protection from UVA rays while indoors varies tremendously for one individual to the next. The American Academy of Dermatology says that the amount of time a person spends in the car and/or working near windows can significantly impact the amount of UVA rays he/she receives.

While most Americans spend 80% of their days behind glass, individuals most susceptible to problems caused by UVA rays that make their way through glass include anyone working near windows as well as anyone driving or riding in a car for long periods of time. The more time spent in either situation, the more important to take protective measures.

For those with increased indoor exposure to UVA rays, expert recommendations include the following:

  1. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
  2. Consider UV eye protection. Many options exist for every unique situation such as the 3M SmartLens Safety Glasses with Photochromic Lenses for those who need safety glasses.
  3. Use window shades or blinds during times when the sun’s rays are strongest.
  4. Arrange workspace so as not to always be working close to windows.
  5. When driving or riding in a car, wear protective clothing (long-sleeve shirt & pants) and wrap-around sunglasses, like the Bobster Defender Sungalsses, that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
  6. Add tinting to car windows, but make sure the auto facility can meet the federal mandate for tinting.

Many people believe that the type of lighting can also contribute to indoor UV exposure, but research shows lighting sources are not a significant factor in indoor UV exposure. In fact, anti-aging skin care based on independent research indicates that “typical exposure to UV light from commonly used types of fluorescent lamps is relatively small” and “most UV light generated by common halogen lamps is blocked.” However, those same studies to recommend considering extra protection, such as those listed above, for those spending a lot of time under fluorescent or halogen lighting. Research Information provided by The National Electrical Manufacturers Association supports the findings of this independent research.

Bottom line: Even if you’re indoors most of the time, spending a lot of time in the sun coming through windows puts you at risk for UVA-related skin cancer as well as increased wrinkles and premature aging. If this is you, take measures to protect your eyes and skin just as if you were outside in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

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Looking At Causes & Solutions For Dry Eyes

October 10, 2012 by

Solutions For Dry EyesDo you suffer from dry eye?

Do your eyes often burn for no apparent reason? Is your vision sometimes foggy even though your prescription is current? Do your eyes itch despite the fact that you don’t have allergies? All of these symptoms indicate a potential dry eye problem. Other symptoms include feeling like something is in your eye, excess watering and blurred vision.

Dry eye is caused by not enough tear production or from poor quality of tears produced, both resulting in insufficient moisture to lubricate and nourish eyes.

What causes dry eye?

There are a variety of causes of dry eye. For starters, dry eye can simply come with age. In addition, more women than men suffer from dry eyes due to changing hormones. Some medications as well as many medical conditions can also cause dry eyes.

Long-term contact wearers as well as those who have had LASIK surgery also tend to have more problems with dry eyes. Finally, a person’s environment could be the source of dry eye problems.

What can be done about dry eye?

Fortunately, there are many solutions available for dry eye sufferers. The following are commonly the most helpful.

  1. Eye drops add artificial tears that lubricate the eye. Drops are available over the counter and provide an easy solution for mild cases of dry eyes. Prescription drops are also available from a doctor.
  2. Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to bring relief for dry eyes. Because other nutritional deficiencies, such as low vitamin A, can also contribute to dry eye, evaluating your diet may be useful.
  3. Safety Glasses can help when a person’s environment is the culprit. Dry, dusty and smoky environments – such as in mines, machine shops and constructions sites – often cause dry eyes, and safety glasses can help protect eyes in these environments.
  4. Sunglasses can help reduce dry eye problems caused by squinting in sunlight as well as by wind and other outdoor elements. Wrap-around styles especially help combat these environmental causes of dry eye.
  5. Hydration not only benefits our body as a whole, but it can also help reduce dry eye by giving the body adequate supplies for tear production. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, which experts say means 8-10 glasses of water daily.
  6. Humidify your environment to lessen its impact on drying your eyes. Small, inexpensive units are available to be able to make your home and work environment more eye friendly.
  7. Blinking not only gives eyes a break from staring a computer screen or other object for long periods of time, but it also promotes tear production. Many optometrist recommend applying the 20-20-20 rule to help not only reduce dry eye symptoms but also to help with visual focusing problems that often result from tired eyes.
  8. Ergonomics not only impact an individual’s musculoskeletal health but can also contribute to dry eyes. A 2005 New York Times article reported that when people squint to reduce glare or bring text into focus, they blink less thus reducing tear production which leads to dry eye problems. Making sure your work station is set up properly can prevent squinting and as a result aid in preventing dry eye as well.
  9. Adequate ventilation can provide yet another way to combat dry eyes. This is especially applicable in a setting with dry air or with particles in the air (such as dust or printer toner), which can make tears unable to adequately coat eyes. Adjusting ventilation and installing a simple air filter that services the room you work in can help in reducing these types of problems.
  10. Treat inflammation around the surface of the eyes. Prescription eye drops, ointments, warm compresses, lid massages and eyelid cleaners can reduce inflammation around the eye that may be contributing to dry eye problems.

Note that sometimes the best solution is a combination of the above suggestions, so be willing to try each of the above to find a combination that works for you. If the above fail to provide adequate relief, additional and more invasive solutions including surgery and plugging eye ducts are additional options when these other options fail to work and must be done by a physician.

What’s the first step?

First and foremost, anyone suffering from chronic dry eye should see an optometrist for a thorough evaluation. Your eye doctor can determine if a serious health problem is the cause and can also give experienced advice in helping find a solution. Seeing your family doctor for any possible health problems and possibly medication adjustments is also a good idea.

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