Thanks to our eyes which collect all sorts of information, we can travel and live in our environment easily. Hands are constantly exposed to danger since workers handle them every single day. Not only does the sun hurt your eyes, but dust, debris or anything else whirling in the air can make the situation dangerous for them. With a few key measures and eyewear, it is possible to reduce this risk to those working and help their eyes stay safe and healthy for a long time.
This problem exists in many forms and requires different solutions.
Those who plan to go out for hours face major challenges with time at the entrance. Among its many harmful effects, UV rays can cause photokeratitis and lead to cataract which occurs when the lens thickens and makes the patient’s vision blurry. A certain level of UV light exposure may also raise the chance of getting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is currently the top reason for blurred vision in the elderly.
UV rays are not the only possible threat, because what is very near in space can also be dangerous for humans. Some complications that may happen due to Debris, tools and insects striking the eye are scratching the cornea, black eye, puncture and losing eyesight. It is also worrying when chemicals such as pesticides, solvents and dangerous materials, splash out and reach the cornea, causing irritation and potential chemical burns. In addition, many times these occurrences cause dry eye syndrome.
The initial step: using protective glasses
The importance of outdoor eye health care is that it offers the correct protection for your eyes.
- Safety glasses are the popular type of outdoor vision protection since they guard your eyes from harmful objects. The right pair of glasses for the job would be verified by ANSI Z87.1 which ensures they are very resistant to impact. With these styles, you can choose polycarbonate lenses since they are made from a material that doesn’t break.
- Goggles are ideal for people who are near small particles or any chemicals that might be splashed during their work. The masks are made to cover the whole face, stopping small particles from entering from the side or below. If someone is working in a hot or steamy place and fogging happens, special ventilated goggles would be a helpful solution.
- For anyone who uses corrective lenses, prescription safety glasses are required. Thanks to the vision perception and the important safety features of the glasses, they are considered safety glasses. There are many different shapes and materials for prescription safety glasses to suit plenty of jobs and purposes.
Selecting Eyewear that is Perfect for You
A suitable pair of safety glasses should depend on the environment the workers are in and the kinds of activities they are involved in.
- For construction, lawn mowing or welding jobs, the safety glasses should be able to protect the eyes from impacts. Anchor your search for safety glasses on ANSI Z87.1+ marking as this ensures extra impact protection in them.
- Pick out chemical-resistant lens goggles if you are likely to work with chemicals or solvents. Therefore, these new generation shield lenses block harmful chemicals from getting into the eye.
- Employees who work outdoors find that glare is a big concern for them. You can see better when it is reflective outside such as near water or wet pavement, as the lens helps cut the bright light. To wear the lenses for a long duration, pick ones that are sturdy, provide comfort and offer a broad field of vision.
There are other things you should do for good eye care.
You should always use good eye protection, yet there are other things you could do to further protect your eyes.
- Go for eye exams with your optometrist or ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Tests like these could show damage to the eyes due to sun or minor reasons at an early time and prompt action by an expert could prevent problems.
- Proper eyelid care: Clean your eyelids regularly using gentle soap to remove dust, excess skin and other material that can bother you.
- If your eyes are sensitive and dry, put in some artificial tears into them to lessen your eye strain at either home or work. A lack of preservatives in foods can help, so you may try these types of foods.
- Wear a hat with a big brim in addition to your sunglasses to protect your face from light beaming down in the sun. You may benefit from putting on sunscreen that has SPF 30 or more on the skin around your eyes, but avoid dropping it into your eyes.
Establishing a Practice of Eye Safety
Everyone needs to be responsible for choosing and purchasing eye safety equipment. Creating safety for workers’ eyes is something employers must focus on the most.
- Through an assessment, an employer identifies eye hazards and takes care to address them using suitable controls. This includes fitting the right kinds of eye gear, putting up proper barriers and carrying out correct work techniques.
- Education: Employees must be informed all the time about the risks to their eyes and the equipment they should use to avoid them. It should include familiarizing the employees with correct ways to use the tools and how to choose and care for replacement products.
- Employers should adopt a policy that requires people to wear eye protection assigned places. This is why keeping your eyes safe at all times is necessary for employees.
Looking out for our Eyes: Why Eye Care is Important
Besides telling yourself it will be fine, your eyes need healing care. Vision that allows you to see well is necessary for maintaining health and safety at your job. Using such tools, workers can get their jobs done safely and free from errors. They should focus on eye care and the use of eye protection to help employees keep their vision and enjoy a healthy long-term career. You only have two things you can do! That’s why you should try your best to protect them! By making sure they are protected, you get to enjoy the place you spend your time such as your workplace or at home.
Doing all the tasks needed and using suitable glasses can protect outdoor workers from eye injuries and almost guarantee the health of their eyes. Bear in mind, your eyes play a major role in your wellness, so looking after them well now will help you for many years ahead.
