Eye Injury Prevention

August 2016 Safety Topic

Almost 2.5 million people suffer eye injuries each year, and approximately one million people have lost some degree of vision as a result. Most could have been prevented with protective eyewear. Below are some tips on eye injury treatment, courtesy of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

For all eye injuries:

  • DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
  • DO NOT try to remove the object stuck in the eye.
  • DO NOT apply ointment or medication in the eye.
  • See a doctor as soon as possible, preferably an ophthalmologist.

If you get a particle or foreign material in your eye:

  • DO NOT rub the eye.
  • Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid.
  • Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle.
  • If the particle remains, keep your eye closed and seek medical attention.

In case of a chemical burn to the eye:

  • Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water.
  • Seek emergency medical treatment right away.

The best protection from eye injuries is prevention through communication and training. For more information on eye injury prevention please speak to your supervisor or reach out to a member of the Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team.