My husband works in an industry in which he could potentially injure his eyes daily.  Having seen his attitude towards eye protection safety and awareness at work and when working in the backyard at home, I thought I should remind others of the importance of eye safety in the work place.

Most eye injuries in Australia are minor, but some accidents can result in serious injury with real risk of vision loss or blindness.  Any job that involves small particles in the air or hazardous chemicals can carry a risk of an eye injury.  In addition, if handling chemicals under high pressure or managing a suspension under tension, which may suddenly release, the risk factor is increased.

In Australia, men of a working age are most at risk of serious eye injuries.

Workplace eye injuries can include:

• Scratches or cuts to the surface of the eye
• Punctures to the eye
• Embedded foreign bodies in or on the eye
• Chemical burns
• Welding flashes (injury caused by bright UV light)

The eye is extremely delicate and permanent vision loss can result from a relatively minor injury; wearing eye protection appropriate for the task can significantly reduce the risk of injury.  Remember, ordinary eye wear does not adequately protect against injury and wearing contact lenses may make an eye injury worse. 

It is vitally important to always wear eye protection that complies with Australian Standards.  We recommend Prescription Safety Glasses Australia for safety eyewear to ensure we are offering the best protection and vision for our patients.

Remember, in all cases of eye injury, seek immediate medical help as soon as possible.  Injuries that seem minor can sometimes cause permanent damage.  If you would like further information about safety glasses or if you would like to purchase safety eyewear, feel free to pop in and see us at Somerville and Merrin.  We can show you options to help keep you safe at work! 

Penny Patterson-Kane

Optical Dispenser