Eye trauma prevention made easy.

Eye trauma prevention made easy

Results of what researchers are calling the first comprehensive study of eye trauma show that only about one-third of eye injuries occur in the workplace. "Prior to our study, we believed, like many investigators, that most eye injuries occurred at work," says Harold A. Helms of the Eye Injury Registry of Alabama and the National Eye Injury Data Center at the Eye Foundation Hospital, in Birmingham. In addition, many of the work-related injuries occurred in areas previously believed to be relatively safe--light industry and the construction trades -- rather than in heavy industry, where safety precautions are recommended.

The remaining injuries occurred almost equally at home -- resulting mainly from home repairs, cooking and use of household chemicals -- and in sports and recreational activities. Racquetball and other hardball sports were leading causes in this category.

"Most people are unaware that safety goggles, available in hardware stores for under $5, and sport glasses could prevent the majority of these costly injuries," he notes.