Eye Injury Prevention Month

   During the summer months, there are a lot of moving pieces when scheduling flights, packing, and attending summer camp, family vacation and more importantly...firework theatrical productions.  Imagine all these variants, coupled with the entire extended family, co-located in the same central time period for longer stents than any average school day..............DANGER!

   So parents and young adults (in charge of minors), please ensure that all tasks take into consideration eye injury hazards.Keep sharp objects out of reach, toddler-proof sharp edges such as on the tables, keep sharp pens and pencils up high and always keep a bottle of water near to flush the eyes or any irritants that may get into the eyes. Keep dangerous liquids and cleaning products locked away and out of reach, as they may be poisonous and/or toxic if ingested or consumed into the human body.

---Excerpt from Blindness and Eye Injury, Law Offices of Kevin Krist  (Houston,TX)----

While the majority of cases of legal blindness are caused by eye disease, an estimated 4 percent of individuals who are blind suffered their vision impairment as a result of trauma or injury to the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology compiled statistics on eye injuries and vision impairment from 2004 to 2008 and determined that an estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur each year, causing 50,000 people annually to lose all or part of their vision.

Causes of Eye Injuries and Blindness

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has provided detailed information on common causes of eye injuries, as well as facts and figures on what age groups are the most at risk of suffering an injury to the eye that causes vision impairment. According to figures collected from 2004 to 2008:

• 44.1 percent of reported eye injuries happen in the home.
• 14.7 percent of eye injuries happen during sports and recreational activities.
• 15.6 percent of eye injuries occur in a work environment.
• 11.4 percent of eye injuries happen as a result of motor vehicle accidents.
• 14.2 percent of eye injuries occur on farms, at schools or in other unspecified locations.

These eye injuries can be caused by projectiles or flying objects; blunt objects such as construction tools; fingers, fists or body parts; or sharp objects such as wood splinters or glass shards. In a vehicle accident, not only can flying debris damage the eyes, but the airbag itself can also cause eye injuries. Chemical burns or exposure to toxins can also result in damage to the eye, especially in work or industrial environments. Fireworks are the cause of 1,500 eye injuries each year.

  Let's help Houston keep the statistics low this year and our family members safe. Stay Safe and remember to protect your eyes  by wearing safety goggles during rigorous sporting events like racquetball, paint ball and rock climbing.

Healthy regards,

Yolanda Williams