13 Jul Look out for your eyes this JulEye 

Look out for your eyes this JulEye 

Did you know that about 30% of all eye injuries occur in the domestic setting? DIY, car repairs and gardening have been shown to be a common cause of eye injury especially amongst males. With more and more people staying indoors and tackling DIY projects and complex recipes, eye injuries are on the rise. This JulEye, Australian and New Zealand Eye Foundation (ANZEF) is working hard to raise public awareness of simple prevention measures to common household eye injuries.

Nearly all of these eye injuries can be prevented by taking the simple precaution of wearing suitable eye protection.

Top 3 Common Eye Injuries And Immediate Treatment
1. Chemical Burns 
Chemical burns to the eyes are often caused by spraying chemicals in the garden, cleaning in the home and changing the car battery.
In case of a chemical burn, do not rub your eye. Immediately flush your eye with clean running water for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. You may need to hold your eye open with clean fingers. Alkaline chemicals are especially dangerous for eyes, so take particular care that these chemicals, especially powders, are flushed from the area thoroughly.

2. Penetrating Eye Injuries
Penetrating eye injuries are often caused by using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger in the garden, using hand tools during DIY projects or among children when playing with small objects. When a penetrating eye injury occurs do not rub, wash or flush the eye. Do not try to remove an embedded object. Gently cover the injured eye with an eye pad or shield secured with tape.

3. Small Particles and Irritants
Small particles and irritants in the eye are often caused by using the lawnmower, power trimmer or edger in the garden, using hand tools during DIY projects. When small particles or irritants enter the eye, do not rub the eye. flush the dust or loose particles with clean water. You may need to hold the eye open with clean fingers.

Depending on the severity of the injuries, you will need to visit an eye health professional or GP, or go to Emergency.
For more information go to https://ranzco.edu/home/foundation/juleye/