Eye Injury Prevention Month is observed throughout October every year. This annual awareness month aims to spread information about common eye injuries and how to prevent them. Eye Injury Prevention Month is observed worldwide. Since eye injuries are easily preventable, this month is observed to educate people on the many different ways they can sustain injuries to their eyes and how to avoid them. The eye is a delicate organ, and any damage can be devastating. Most eye injuries are accidents and can be prevented by taking adequate precautions.
History of Eye Injury Prevention Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month is observed in October every year worldwide. This month raises awareness about eye injuries, their common causes, and how to prevent them. The majority of eye injuries are accidental. These injuries are usually caused by foreign objects getting lodged in the eyes. Flying metal particles, sand, glass, stone, gravel, boiling water or oil, and hazardous chemicals in liquid or gas form are some types of particles that could enter the eye and cause an injury. This type of injury is also one of the most easily preventable eye injuries as you can protect the eyes from foreign bodies quite easily. People working in hazardous conditions or industries where flying debris is expected should be provided with protective eye goggles to ensure that foreign objects do not enter their eyes.
Another common eye injury is caused by blunt force trauma. This type of injury is usually caused when something heavy and blunt hits the eye with some force. Many sports-related eye injuries fall under this category as people take a ball to the face or get hit by a flying shuttle in the eye. Wrestlers and martial arts practitioners are also at risk of getting hit in the face by accident or while sparring, resulting in trauma to the eye. Children playing with B.B. guns and other projectiles are also at risk of eye injuries.
One of the simplest ways to prevent most eye injuries is to wear protective glasses or goggles when working with hazardous materials or projectiles. Sportspeople should have protective headgear, and children should be supervised when playing to ensure that no one gets hurt.
Eye Injury Prevention Month timeline
King Henry II, the King of England, fails to fasten his visor correctly before a jousting tournament and is injured.
The French chemist Edouard Benedictus patents laminated glass in gas masks and military vehicles as eye protection.
The Society conducts a study which leads to high stick rules and hockey players wearing certified face protectors.
Eye protection standards are written and published to combat the increasing number of eye injuries in sports.
Eye Injury Prevention Month FAQs
Where do most eye injuries occur?
Almost half of all eye injuries happen at home, and about 15% occur at the workplace.
How many eye injuries occur daily?
Nearly 2,000 people suffer from work-related eye injuries every day.
What is the first aid for eye injury?
Apart from visiting an ophthalmologist, you can gently apply a cold compress without pressure to reduce some pain and swelling. You should not rub or press on your injured eye.
How to Observe Eye Injury Prevention Month
Share information about eye injuries
A lot of people are unaware of the risk of eye injuries. Use this day to educate people about potential risks and how they can eliminate these risks.
Be a role model
Kids are more likely to wear eye protection if they see you wearing protection when necessary. Be a good role model to the children (and others) in your life and let them see you working with protective goggles.
Provide your employees with eye protection
If you work with hazardous materials or it involves flying objects, keep your employees safe by providing them with eye protection. Provide the safety equipment they need so they can keep their eyes safe.
5 Facts About Eye Injuries That Will Blow Your Mind
90% of injuries can be prevented
According to experts, about 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by using eye protection.
Baseball players frequently suffer eye injuries
Orbital fractures and retinal detachments are common among baseball players due to getting hit in the face by a ball.
Few non-professional athletes wear eye protection
While professional athletes usually wear eye protection, recreational athletes tend to avoid wearing any.
Losing an eye was seen as good
In the medieval ages, soldiers who had lost an eye were believed to be braver and more attractive.
Eyes are injured disproportionately
Despite being a small part of the body, the eyes are often injured more often than other body parts.
Why Eye Injury Prevention Month is Important
It reminds people to be careful
Eye injuries are easily preventable. Therefore, during Eye Injury Prevention Month, we need to make sure people are careful with their eyes.
It allows us to share information
People don’t wear eye protection because they don’t know how easily they can injure their eyes. This month, share accurate information so that people can know that eye injuries are very common and preventable.
It encourages being good role models
Children (and even other adults) will only be careful if they see adults being careful. We should encourage sportspeople and other adults to wear eye protection and be good role models to those around them during this month.
Eye Injury Prevention Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | October 1 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | October 1 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | October 1 | Thursday |
| 2027 | October 1 | Friday |
| 2028 | October 1 | Sunday |
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