Research shows that more than 800,000 eye-related injuries occur on the job every year, with 36,000 being serious enough to require time off work. It also reveals that nearly 90% of such incidents could have been avoided.

One of the ways to keep your eyes as safe as possible? Invest in appropriate protective eyewear!

From welders to chemists, there are many different kinds of professionals who require an extra layer of protection while they hone their craft. Today, we're taking a look at the important role that eyewear can play in securing and safeguarding their optical health.

Ready to learn more? Let's get started!

Common Eye Injuries to Avoid

Before we dive into the different types of eyewear available, let's review some of the most common eye-related injuries that occur the most often. We can break these hazards into four main categories, as described below.

Projectiles

From dust and concrete to metal and wood, some workplace environments are filled with flying debris that could easily become dangerous projectiles. These could cut or scrape your cornea, leading to long-term vision damage.

Radiation

Many workers operate in an environment that exposes their delicate eyes to intense radiation from a variety of sources, including:

  • Visible light
  • UV light
  • Excess heat
  • Infrared light
  • Laser beams

Chemicals

Other times, you might risk splashing chemicals into your eyes or exposing them to harmful fumes. In addition to synthetic formulas, this can also include grease and oil.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Especially common in healthcare environments, pathogens in blood and other bodily fluids could enter the mucous membrane someone's eye and transmit infectious diseases, including HIV or hepatitis. Laboratory and janitorial staff members could also come into contact with these substances.

Industries with Known Risks of Eye Injuries

If you work in an office behind a computer all day, you might not experience direct eye-related hazards on a regular basis, if at all. However, there are some industries in which workers are exposed to one or many of them every single day.

These include:

Keep in mind that even if you're in a sedentary office position, you should still consider investing in protective eyewear.

Why?

Staring at a screen for hours on end can trigger Computer Vision Syndrome, also called Digital Eye Strain. This condition can occur whether you're looking at a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Studies show that 70% to 90% of people who use computers extensively have at least one symptom, including:

  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Eyestrain

Worried that overusing your computer could be negatively affecting your vision? Use our Eye Chart to test yours today!

What Kind of Protective Eyewear Should I Buy?

Of course, the kind of profession you're in will dictate the exact kind of eyewear that you'll need. Let's take a look at a few of the different options you'll have.

Safety Glasses

Do you work in an environment that has a high concentration of flying particles, chips, or objects? What about excessive amounts of dust? Either way, it's smart to invest in safety glasses. The best and most effective types are those that include side protection or side shields, like our Safety Glasses.

These glasses also feature UV protection and adjustable arms to ensure a comfortable fit.

You can find safety glasses in both prescription and non-prescription formats. In both cases, most of the accessories are designed to look like standard eyeglasses, but with an additional layer of protection. These will feature lenses and frames that are stronger and more durable than the pair you'd buy at your local drugstore.

To be considered safety glasses, the pair in question must meet standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These will include a Z87 mark on either their lens or frame.

Safety Goggles

A great pair of impact-resistant safety goggles can protect your eyes all the way around from exposure to dangerous chemical splashes. You can also find more basic versions that make great all-purpose accessories to protect your eyes from a range of hazards, including dust and large droplets.

Our Jockey Style Goggles are disposable and lightweight, making them easy to stash in your first-aid kit at all times. You can wear safety goggles on top of your prescription glasses and contact lenses if you normally bring such eyewear to work.

Need a little more coverage? Look for goggles with either regular (direct) or hooded (indirect) ventilation. Ones with direct ventilation are designed to fit securely around your eyes. They're best-suited for dusty environments or one in which you could be struck by debris at any angle.

On the other hand, safety goggles with hooded ventilation are ideal for splash-heavy environments. They include indirect openings that block chemical splashes and also help protect against sparks and smaller flying particles. These are excellent additions to any workplace that requires workers to handle chemicals or molten materials.

Special-Purpose Eyewear

There are some industries that require workers to wear protective eyewear that provides extra security beyond the range of standard safety glasses and goggles. Industries in which this is common include those that expose employees to dangerous lasers or fibre optics.

Accessories in this category might include shields or glasses with special filters to avoid eye contact with radiation or laser beams.

Face Shields and Helmets

If you're routinely exposed to harsh chemicals, high levels of heat or blood-borne pathogens, a face shield and helmet are preferable. Helmets are especially common in the welding sector, where they can keep workers' eyes and face protected from the excessive heat and light produced on the job. Most versions will include clear or tinted lenses.

Keep in mind that while they can be beneficial accessories, fae shields and helmets should not be worn alone. You should always wear safety glasses or safety goggles underneath them. This way, when you lift the shield, your eyes will remain protected.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Both fashionable and practical, blue light blocking glasses are becoming popular, thanks to an influx of office workers suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome. Designed to mimic the look of a normal pair of eyeglasses, these are available in a wide variety of shapes, colours, and styles designed to meet anyone's personal style aesthetic.

The lenses in these specialized glasses include filters that block or absorb the blue light that computer screens emit. By reducing your exposure to harmful blue light, you can help your eyes rest, especially at night or in low light, when eye strain is exacerbated.

Steps to Take in an Eye Emergency

While the protective eyewear on this list can help prevent an eye injury, the reality is that one could still occur. This is especially the case if the glasses or goggles are not properly fitted to your face, or if they are broken or compromised in any way.

It's critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible following any form of eye injury. Here are the basic steps to follow.

Chemicals in the Eye

If you get chemicals in your eye, you should first flush your eye with water for at least 15 minutes, removing your contact lenses beforehand. If your workplace doesn't have a designated eyewash station, it's smart to have a portable eye bath on hand to do the trick.

Leave all other chemicals alone and never try to neutralize your eye environment with another type of substance. Rather than bandaging your eye, simply seek immediate medical help as soon as you finish flushing.

Particles in the Eye

If there's a particle in your eye, your first instinct might be to rub it out. Instead, try letting your tears dislodge the debris naturally. You can also use artificial tears or our Eye Stream Eye Rinse to irrigate your eye.

In some cases, you can remove the particle by lifting your upper eyelid outward and gently pulling it down over your bottom eyelid. If neither of these techniques works, bandage your eye lightly with our Sterile Eye Pad and seek medical attention.

Cuts, Scrapes or Punctures to the Eye

If a particle directly impacted your eye and caused a cut, scrape or puncture, attempting to remove it or wash it out could cause further damage. In this case, cover your eye with a hard, rigid shield, such as the bottom portion of a paper cup. Seek immediate medical care.

Blows to the Eye

Nobody expects a black eye on the job! If you experience a heavy blow to yours, avoid putting pressure on it. Instead, apply a cold compress or ice pack, like this Instant Cold Pack.

Apply gentle pressure to reduce pain and swelling and seek medical care.

Protect Your Eyes and Save Your Vision

Our eyes are some of the most important organs in our body. Yet, they're exposed to a variety of risks and hazards on a daily basis.

Whether you work in a loud warehouse where flying particles are an everyday occurrence or you're in a plush corner office sending emails all day, your eyes require protection at all times.

Thankfully, there are different kinds of protective eyewear that can protect your peepers at every turn. From heavy-duty face shields to pocket-sized blue light blocking glasses, which one will you select?

As you shop our selection, be sure to check out our full inventory of first-aid and medical supplies. We've got the gear you need to stay safe and prepared, no matter where you go.

Contact us today with any questions or to learn more!