Eye Injury Prevention Month & UV Safety Month

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Article featured in Avatar - Volume 4, Issue 1 (July 2010).

Eye Injury Prevention Month & UV Safety Month
by Stephanie (Konstantine)

Our vision is vital. From seeing your loved ones and your environment, to watching your favourite films, eyesight is something that we use everyday and something that we may take for granted. July is Eye Injury Prevention Month and UV Safety Month, which aim to spread awareness of how to protect your eyesight. A massive ninety percent of eye injuries could be prevented if appropriate precautions are taken.

It is important to be aware of your eyesight constantly, no matter where you are or what you're are doing. When indoors, be particularly careful if you’re doing any household chores which use chemicals and always work in a ventilated area, ensuring that chemicals are not being directed towards your face, including your eyes, mouth and nose. Many everyday, household cleaners contain chemicals that can damage eyes or even cause blindness. The same precautions should be taken when engaging in other work, especially hands-on activities, because flying objects and particles can be very dangerous.

It seems to be getting sunnier at this time of year. Being outdoors in summer can be wonderful, but it’s also important to be aware of the sun’s rays and the ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) that accompany the warm weather. A small amount of UV is actually good for you, as it helps produce vitamin D in your body. However, if you are exposed to too many UV rays, it could result in negative health effects for your immune system, skin and eyes.

Hats, sunglasses, protective clothing and regular application of sunscreen are all suggested as good, preventative measures against excessive UV exposure. Whenever you can, you should limit your time in the sun between 10am and 4pm, staying in the shade when possible. When selecting sunscreen, try to choose one that has an SPF of at least 15 and when choosing sunglasses, ensure that they are UV-protective. These are not difficult things to do, but can save you from a lot of serious problems later in life.

If you experience an eye injury, never hesitate to seek medical help. Injuries such as cuts, burns or foreign bodies should never be solely self-treated. Early detection of any other eye conditions that you feel you may have is also essential to trying to maintain good vision. If you do notice any changes such as seeing flashes of light or spots, have any pain or excessive tearing or dryness, you should see an eye doctor as soon as possible.