It’s important to be aware of your surroundings whether at work or play, especially when it comes to your eyes. For those who work in environments with occupational hazards like construction or manufacturing, it’s important to take extra precautions like wearing protective eyewear. However, when accidents may occur, many neglect to protect their eyes.

Every day, 1,000 Americans experience eye injuries while on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that almost 70% of the eye injuries studied occurred from falling or flying objects, or sparks striking the eye.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that most eye injuries happen in the workplace. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma, nearly half of all eye injuries occurred in the home. More than 40 percent of eye injuries were caused by projects and household activities such as home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking.

How can you help to preserve your vision whether at work or doing daily activities? Most injuries could be prevented if individuals wear appropriate protective eyewear:

• On the job: Safety glasses and goggles should be utilized at all times. For welders, special goggles should protect your eyes from the intense exposure to heat and light.
• At home: From mowing the lawn to doing household renovations, these unsuspecting activities can be an eye injury accident waiting to happen. Be sure to wear safety goggles to provide protection for your eyes
• On the field: Sports eye injuries are common, which can not only put you on the sidelines but also leave a person from suffering varying degrees of vision loss. Sports eyewear can be used in different games like basketball or soccer and can protect sight while enhancing your game.

Visit your eyecare provider for more information and get yourself fitted for protective eyewear today.