Types of Eye Injury in Workplace and Ways to Avoid Those

Eye accidents in workplace occur more frequently than you'd expect. As per the U.S. Office of Labor Statistics, more than 2,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace per year. Eye injuries can cause serious complications and loss of vision both temporarily and long term. Even though we do not recommend that you attempt to handle a severe eye injury yourself, we do suggest that you are aware of some common occupational accidents and how to respond to them appropriately. If the problem is severe, it is wise to consult an eye doctor without delay.

Continue reading to learn how to respond to eye injuries in certain workplaces.

1.       Flying Bits of Stone, Metal, or Glass

Flying stone accounts for a large majority of accidents at work. In addition, moving or dropping objects cause 70% of severe eye injuries and 60% of such objects are smaller than a pin's head.

Metal and glass are particularly sharp and harmful to your cornea, leading to increased scratching or gouging risk. A scratched cornea may recover for several days, and can need care.

How to react: Wait and evaluate the situation and figure out what may have landed in your eye. Rubbing the hair, removing any contact lenses and avoid using devices like tweezers. Don't try to pull a foreign body off your own head. For help, go directly to the doctor or the closest emergency hospital department.

2.       Flash Burns

Welding will expose your eyes to flash arc burns. If the eyes are exposed to intense ultraviolet (UV) rays, a flash burn occurs. The strong UV light is sun burning the eye's surface and can be very painful.

How to respond: Get out of the area and call for assistance. You should apply a cold compress instantly, or take an over-the-counter pain reliever for convenience. For administer care and track damage it is necessary to seek support from your doctor or emergency department. Popular treatment may involve closing the eyes so they can relax. The cornea will begin to repair itself within as little as two days.

3.       Particles or foreign bodies

Particles or foreign bodies may include any substance that should not be present in your eye. Depending on the work being done, this may vary from anything tiny such as a speck of dust, a wood chip or a metal shaving to a larger item.

The most common location for a foreign object to be lodged is underneath the eyelid. Symptoms of a foreign object in the eye include a sharp pain accompanied by burning and itching, sensation like something is in the eye, watery and swollen eye and a scratchy sensation while blinking.

But, if you think that your injury is serious and you cannot take care of it yourself, you need to call an eye doctor. Visit Korber Eye Care in OKC to the earliest.

**Disclaimer: The above post should not substitute medical advice nor does it create a patient-doctor relationship.