There are three main areas of risk when it comes to eye injuries:
Many of the products we have in our homes can cause chemical eye injuries, such as dish soap, laundry detergent, oven cleaner, vinegar, and ammonia. If we get splashed with chemicals in the eye, it can cause anything from mild irritation to severe scarring in the cornea with complete vision loss. Chemical substances can be solid, liquid, in gas form, or in the form of dust. Acids can penetrate the eye and cause serious eye damage. The most commonly occurring acids in an eye injury are sulfuric acid (found in batteries, bleach, and coolants), formic and acetic acid (found in paint, solvents, and in agriculture), and hydrochloric acid (found in the metal industry). In workplaces, there are many more types of harmful chemicals than those we have at home. It is then especially important to follow safety procedures such as wearing protective goggles and having eye wash and eye rinse solutions placed within arm's reach of the risk area.
We have all experienced the discomfort of getting something in our eye that creates irritation and discomfort. What do you do if a metal splinter comes flying towards your face and eyes? Natural protective mechanisms such as blinking and looking away are not enough to protect your eyes! Safety glasses are the protection you should wear throughout the workday. The most common cause of eye injuries is being hit by flying objects, closely followed by getting splashed with chemicals. Safety glasses also protect against dust and are highly resistant to impact, providing secure protection around the eyes as hazards can come from any direction. Even if you don't use work tools such as grinding and cutting machines, striking tools or cleaning tools, it doesn't mean you don't need protection. Flying objects and splashes can still come from your work colleagues if you are in the same room. When outdoors, wood, pollen, dirt, and dust can get into your eyes and cause long-term damage to your vision.
If you are exposed to intense or prolonged radiation (or changes in light) in your work, you can damage your eyes. Ultraviolet rays cause eye inflammation, and the symptoms usually appear several hours later. Very bright light, such as sunlight, can cause glare that impairs vision for a short period and is usually temporary vision impairment. Infrared radiation, which occurs in, for example, foundry work, can burn your retina, and if you are permanently exposed to infrared radiation, you risk developing cataracts. Cataracts cause, among other things, reduced visual acuity, double vision, and glare in bright light in the dark. If you work as a welder, for example, UV radiation is the most dangerous for your eyes. Laser radiation can burn holes in the retina and cause permanent eye damage. Depending on the risk areas present in the workplace, the user should wear appropriate safety glasses.
