Employees of all kinds can face the risk of eye injury while working, but those who work in certain industries are at the highest risk. With appropriate eye protection and routine eye exams, workers can begin taking steps necessary to limit their potential for harm.
Common Causes of Workplace Eye Injuries and Disease
Here are the most common causes of workplace eye accidents.
Flying Objects
Working in any industry dealing with moving objects or tools, like carpentry and construction or metal jobs, can put a worker at risk of getting hit by something. Chiseling and hammering involve materials that could cause injury if airborne debris flies off into a person’s eyes.
Dust and Particles
Workplaces like garages often produce small particles that float in the air. Not only is this an annoyance to those nearby, but particles can irritate your eyes and compromise your eye health over time.
Chemicals
Exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job can result in irritation, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or corneal ulcers, depending on the material used and how long someone is exposed to it. Cuts from sharp objects contaminated with yeast bacteria may also lead to infection because they cannot be easily treated without professional help.
Radiation
Welders often need to shield their faces so radiation does not damage their eyesight, such as UV exposure from welding arc light sources.
Vibrations
Handheld tools like grinders release potent vibrations throughout the body—which includes a person’s eyeballs. Over extended periods, these vibrations can affect vision negatively due to constricting blood vessels around the retina.
Who Is at Risk?
Industrial Workers
Workers in the industrial sector often come into contact with flying sparks and debris that can end up in their eyes if they do not wear their safety glasses.
Workers in the Construction Business
Construction workers face many hazards on the job. Whether working with heavy equipment or cutting wood beams with a saw, there’s always something that could cause an accident resulting in eye injury.
Healthcare Professionals
Working in a hospital can also be hazardous to your eyesight. Daily, doctors and nurses risk getting exposed to infected bodily fluids and other hazardous chemicals.
Metalworkers
Working with metals can present hazards due to welding torches and grinding tools. Wearing goggles properly will reduce the possibility of metal splinters entering an uncovered eye quickly.
Office Workers
Working in an office doesn’t seem difficult enough to cause workplace eye injuries; however, spending long hours in front of a computer can take a toll on the eyes. If you add poor diet and sleep deprivation to the mix, it can be a real problem.
Prevention Strategies
It’s tough when your work involves being at risk for eye injuries and diseases; fortunately, some prevention strategies can help.
Wearing Eye Protection
It is essential to wear appropriate eye protection to prevent workplace eye injuries and disease. Safety glasses with side or face shields are recommended in industrial settings where flying debris can be hazardous. Goggles should also be used when working with chemicals that could splash into the eyes or come in contact with respiratory passages.
Regular Eye Exams
Your optometrist in Rockville, MD, will check for any vision abnormalities and long-term damage. Your optometrist will also prescribe the appropriate eye protection.
Consult With Eyes on Norbeck in Rockville, MD
Preventing workplace eye injuries and illnesses starts with knowing properly about potential hazards. Eye On Norbeck in Rockville, MD, provides computer vision exams, eyeglasses and other comprehensive eye care services that will detect and protect your vision. Contact us at (301) 238-7199 to schedule an appointment.
