More than 2.5 million Americans suffer eye injuries every year and 73% of them are male, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Eye injuries can take place on the job, while playing sports or during accidents on the road. However, nearly half take place at home during activities like yard and house work. The vast majority of eye injuries are preventable. One of the easiest and smartest things you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get a pair of protective eyewear.
Look for eyewear certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to protect your eyes while working on your home or yard. Also, be sure to always use the recommended eyewear for your job and any sports you play.
If you or someone you know suffers an eye injury, get help from an eye healthcare provider or other medical professional right away. Delaying medical attention could lead to vision loss or even blindness. With appropriate care, most people will recover from eye injuries without significant vision loss.
People suffering an eye injury may experience:
- Obvious eye pain or trouble seeing
- A cut, torn or drooping eyelid
- Sensation that something is in the eye
- Eye redness
- Blood covering the white or pupil of the eye
If you experience any of the listed symptoms, make sure you consult your healthcare provider right away!
For More Information Visit:
Medline Plus
WebMD
American Optometric Association
Men’s Health Network
See the whole picture. Protect your eye health by:
- Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables
- Wearing sunglasses and hats when in sunlight
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Getting regular eye check ups
- Maintaining a healthy weight by exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking , as it has been linked to risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
About
EYE SPECIALISTS
There are different types of eye care professionals, or “eye specialists.”
Optometrists
These are healthcare professionals who are concerned with the health of the eyes and have completed a degree in optometry. They focus on vision care, including eye exams and prescribing glasses and contacts. They may also diagnose other eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. In some cases, they can prescribe medications for eye conditions.
Ophthalmologists
These are specialists who have completed medical school and have chosen to specialize in eye care. Like Optometrists, they perform eye exams and can give you options to improve your vision. They can also diagnose and treat all eye conditions mentioned below by performing surgery and prescribing medications. For serious medical eye conditions, you will likely need to see an ophthalmologist.
Opticians
You may also work with an optician on your vision care. Opticians are not eye doctors, but they fill the prescriptions for glasses and contacts that your eye specialist provides you. Opticians can help with selecting and adjusting the lenses you need.
Retinal Eye Specialists
Retinal Eye Specialists are highly-trained eye specialists and surgeons who focus on diseases in the back of the eye. They have completed medical school and specialized training as an ophthalmologist, and then pursued additional vitreoretinal (retina diseases) training. If you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy then you will mostly likely see a retina eye specialist. A retina specialist may also treat a patient who has experienced severe eye trauma, and may be consulted in the case of patients dealing with hereditary diseases of the eye.
If you do not already have an eye specialist, you can also discuss concerns about your eye health with your regular healthcare provider. He or she can help you find the right professional to meet your needs. You can also ask your family and friends to suggest an eye specialist – chances are you know someone who has needed eye care recently.
Tips
The 20-20-20 Rule
If you spend a lot of time at the computer, you can sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get tired. Give your eyes a rest. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.