Eye Health
Important Facts About Eye Injury
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120

• Wear swimming goggles whenever and wherever you swim. Chlorine can make your eyes red and puffy, and ponds and lakes may harbor Acanthamoeba, a protozoan that can get underneath a contact lens and cause inflammation of the cornea.
• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light reflected off sand, or pavement can burn the eye's surface. Similar to a sunburn on your skin, eye surface burns can be painful, but usually temporary. Sunglasses with UV protection will help prevent burns.
• Before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, be sure to check for rocks and stones - they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from the blades.
• Keep a pair of goggles in the trunk of your car. You never know when you will need to jump-start your car. Battery acid, sparks, and debris flying from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage your eyes.
• Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn your eyes' delicate tissues. Always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area, and make sure spray nozzles point away from you before spraying. Don't forget those goggles, and remember to wash your hands thoroughly when you are finished.
• According to the US Eye Injury Registry, almost forty percent of eye injuries occur in the home. Make goggles the first thing you think about, not the last. Many times, all that's needed to prevent blinding injuries is a pair of tight-fitting goggles available at hardware stores.

If you experience an injury to the eye, here are some first aid tips:

• Sand or small debris in the eye: Use an eyewash to flush your eye out. Do not rub the eye. If the debris doesn't come out, lightly bandage the eye and see a doctor.
• Blows to the eye: Gently apply small cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling. Don't apply any pressure. Seek emergency medical care if there is pain, reduced vision or discoloration, such as a black eye.
• Cuts or punctures to the eye: Bandage the eye without any pressure and seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not attempt to wash the eye or remove any object stuck in the eye. A paper cup held over the injured eye can help protect it until you can get to your Eye M.D. or emergency room.