Protecting your eyes from injury is one of the most basic things you can do to keep your vision healthy throughout your life. You may be somewhat aware of the possible risks of eye injuries, but are you taking the easiest step of all to prevent 90 percent of those injuries. Most people believe that eye injuries are most common on the job — especially in the course of work at factories and construction sites. But, in fact, nearly half (44.7 percent) of all eye injuries occur at home.

1. Wear protective eye wear at work or home during jobs which can create objects to fly (e.g.hammering,  home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking). Wearing protective eyewear will prevent 90 percent of eye injuries, so make sure that your home has at least one approved pair and that you and your family members wear the eyewear when risks come into play.

 2. Contact sports require you to wear protective helmets and polycarbonate glasses. Boxing and full-contact martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injuries. Cricket, basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey also are responsible for many injuries.

3. All chemicals (chuna in plastic bags, glues,etc) and sprays must be kept out of reach of small children. 

4. Parents should provide care and supervision for children need to practice safe use of common items that can cause serious eye injury, such as paper clips, pencils, scissors, bungee cords, wire coat hangers and rubber bands. 

5. Only purchase age-appropriate toys. Avoid projectile toys such as darts, bows and arrows, and missile-firing toys. Commonly sold Teer dhanush during dussehra causes many eye injuries in Indian kids leading to lifelong blindness sometime. Author recommends that it should be banned.

6. Do not allow children anywhere near fireworks, especially bottle rockets. These fireworks pose a serious risk of eye injury. With the festival of Diwali around make sure to safeguard your eyes with protective eyewear. Respect safety barriers at fireworks shows and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away. 

7. On the road, make sure children are properly secured in baby carriers and child safety seats and that the seat and shoulder belts fit well. Children age 12 and younger should never ride in the front seat. 

Learn How to Recognize an Eye Injury: Because eye injuries can cause serious vision loss, it’s important to be able to recognize an injury and appropriately respond to it. DO NOT attempt to treat a serious eye injury yourself. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, get medical help right away.

  1. The person has obvious pain or trouble seeing.
  2. The person has a cut or torn eyelid.
  3. One eye does not move as well as the other.
  4. One eye sticks out compared to the other.
  5. The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape.
  6. There is blood in the clear part of the eye.
  7. The person has something in the eye or under the eyelid that can't be easily removed.