Work-Related Eye Injuries And Illnesses:
What You Should Know
By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.
What Is A Work-Related Eye Injury?
A work-related eye injury is an injury that you get while at work. These injuries are most likely in people who work outside, in construction, or with machinery.
What Is A Work-Related Eye Illness?
You may be allergic to things at work that make your eyes red and itchy. You can be allergic to food, dust, plants, and work materials. Germs at work can also irritate your eyes. Things can fly into your eyes from work.
How Can I Prevent A Work-Related Eye Injury Or Illness?
You can prevent most injuries if you use the right eye protection (for example, goggles). Make sure they fit properly. If you work outside, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sunlight also. If you work with chemicals, your work place should have an eyewash system in case you get some in your eyes.
To keep from getting allergies or germs, wash your hands during the day and keep your work surface clean. If you can’t wash, carry a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in it.
Get an exam every year to check your eyesight and make sure your eyes are healthy.
It amazes me the numbers of eye injuries that I’ve seen over the years that have told me they have just not used eyewear because they thought they were only going to be doing a very short minimal job. This is analogous to the person who gets in an accident in their neighborhood and didn’t buckle up because they didn’t think they were going to go very far. Seatbelts should be worn all the time that you are in the car and eye protection should be worn at any time that you are working with materials that might end up in your eye. Some have told me that they thought that their eyeglasses would protect them from getting a foreign body in their eye. This is not true. You need full wrap around protection with goggles or other approved eyewear to protect your eyes fully.
When Should I Go To The Doctor?
See your doctor if you have sharp pain in your eye or if you are hit in your eye with an object. Those who grind or weld know full well the risks that are involved with those activities. Any time one is pounding on metal is another very risky time.
You may have something in your eye or broken bones around your eye depending on the injury. If a chemical gets in your eyes, splash or spray them with water for several minutes and see your doctor right away.
If you have red, itchy eyes that feel better when you aren’t at work, ask your allergist to test you for work-related allergies.
If you have any other questions concerning this topic please ask your family physician or primary care provider.
Dr. Peterson is a doctor of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.