Ordinary Chores Cause Half of All Eye Injuries
Sept. 13 --
FRIDAY, Sept. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 40 percent of eye injuries happen to people doing yard work or gardening at home, yet few people think about wearing eye protection during these times.
And half of all eye injuries occur doing everyday chores, including cleaning, cooking, yard and garage work, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Prevent Blindness America, a volunteer eye health and safety organization, has dubbed September "Home Eye Safety Awareness Month."
"All too often, when we're working around the house and doing chores that we've done a thousand times before without incident, we forget about the risks we take by not protecting our eyes," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. "But all it takes is one split-second accident that could damage your vision for a lifetime."
Prevent Blindness America recommends that every household purchase from their local hardware store at least one pair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved eyewear (it should have a Z-87 logo stamped on the frames) and follow these tips:
More information
Prevent Blindness America has more about eye safety in the home.
SOURCE: Prevent Blindness America, news release, Sept. 3, 2008