Practicing good eye care, safety 'out of sight'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The comic book hero Daredevil gained superhuman powers when he was blinded by toxic waste that hit him in the eyes. Unfortunately, outside of the superhero realm, anyone else would just be blinded.

Therefore, protecting eyes and keeping them healthy is paramount, said Maj. Ryan Traver, 325th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron optometry flight commander here. While most people follow the rules and wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses while at work, they tend to forget about it at home.

"One of the biggest injuries we get here is from people mowing the lawn without eye protection," Major Traver said. "We also get a lot of injuries from people working on their cars at home."

Lawnmowers can toss up rocks or chips of wood, while getting under the car for a routine oil change without goggles can cause bits of rust, or even oil, to fall into the eyes.

Using hazardous chemicals, small hand tools or riding a motorcycle are other activities in which people should wear protective eye equipment, said Ken Jolley, 325th Fighter Wing ground safety chief.

Common eye injuries also occur from not wearing protective eye gear while playing sports, Major Traver said.

"Many people wear safety glasses while playing racquetball, but they rarely wear them while playing football, basketball or baseball,” he said. “(People) need protection when there are any flying objects about, which includes any ball sport."

People should also not forget about ultraviolet rays, the major said. Damage to the eyes can be prevented by wearing sunglasses with 100-percent ultraviolet blocking.

"It doesn't matter if they cost $5 or $400," Major Traver said. "Sunglasses are important. In fact, they make safety sunglasses for both sun and foreign object protection."

Another way people can protect their eyesight is by keeping their eyes healthy, the major said. Routine eye exams are extremely important.

"It varies by a person's age, but an average, healthy adult should get an eye exam every two to three years," he said. "Even if (someone does not) need glasses, everyone is susceptible to eye disease."

If caught early, doctors can take steps to care for eye disease, but people can help prevent infections by eating a healthy diet including green, leafy vegetables and properly wearing their contacts.

"(People should) never sleep in (their) contacts, no matter what the company says," Major Traver said. "The maximum amount of time people should wear them is 10 to 12 hours a day."

Experts here said it is important for everyone to make an effort to protect their eyes.

"You only have one set of eyes, and it doesn't take very much to injure them," Mr. Jolley said. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)