Depending on your profession, you may be required by OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to wear protective goggles on the job. However, lack of required eye and face protection is one of the top 10 OSHA violations noted in reports.
People avoid wearing protective glasses for several different reasons. But statistics prove that eye injuries are common while working. Each year, close to 20,000 workplace eye injuries are reported, many of which result in employees missing at least one day of work.
Approximately 90% of eye-related incidents are avoidable. Wearing safety glasses and observing other eye safety habits can keep your eyes safe.
Causes of eye injuries
Eye injuries can occur, even when you least expect them. Some important things to remember about eye injuries include:
- About 65% of eye injuries happen at home, most often from abrasions or foreign objects.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 18,510 workplace eye injuries in a single year, resulting in at least one missed day of work per case.
- More than 32,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in emergency departments in a single year.
The most common causes of eye injuries at work include:
- Flying objects (bits of metal, glass, plastic)
- Air-blown and wind-blown particles (dust, wood, sand)
- Tools (screwdrivers, wrenches)
- Chemicals (gasoline, oil, solvents, acids)
- Harmful radiation (welding arcs, ultraviolet radiation)
At home, household cleaners and chemicals are common causes of eye injuries. Other causes include:
- Eyelash curlers
- Mascara brushes and other cosmetic applicators
- Fingernails (such as when applying and removing contact lenses)
- Baby fingers
- Lawn, garden and hand tools (mowers, etc.)
- Air-blown and wind-blown particles
- Bungee cords
- Falls, bumping into walls, etc.
- Champagne corks
- Toys and games with hard or sharp edges
- Pet claws
Whether it’s a piece of sports equipment, outdoor elements, or another player’s body, eyes face a number of threats during sporting events. The different types of eye injuries include:
- Blunt injury – Sudden impact that compressed the eye. It can be caused by a racquet, elbow, fist, ball, puck or similar item.
- Corneal abrasion – A scrape on the outermost layer of the eye’s surface (cornea). An accidental finger in the eye can cause a corneal abrasion.
- Penetrating injury – Foreign objects pierce the eye, causing serious damage. It can happen as a result of eyeglasses breaking while being worn and requires immediate medical attention.
- Radiation injury – Exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can damage the eye. Typically seen in snow and water sports.
In most cases, simple precautions can help you prevent eye injuries at work, home and play.
Avoid distractions when doing anything that could potentially harm your eyes. Resist the temptation to multitask or rush when working with tools or other objects near your eyes.
And always wear safety glasses, protective goggles or other sports eyewear for greater eye safety when the situation calls for it.
What to do for an eye injury
If you suffer any eye injury, contact an eye doctor immediately for advice. If there is a delay in getting in touch with your eye doctor, go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately.
Most eye doctors have emergency contact numbers for injuries that occur after normal business hours or on weekends.
Depending on the situation, your eye doctor may want you to flush your eye with water or sterile saline solution prior to your office visit. Or they may recommend that you immediately go to the hospital emergency room.
If you wear contact lenses, tell the doctor and ask if you should remove them or leave them in.
If you work with chemicals, your workplace should have a sink area where you can flush your eyes with water if chemicals or other substances get in your eyes. Flush your eyes for several minutes to dilute and rinse out any potentially harmful substances.
When in doubt, treat all eye injuries as potential emergencies and contact an eye doctor immediately.
Remember, you have only one pair of eyes. Take good care of them!
Features to look for in safety glasses
To protect your eyes from harm, always wear safety glasses when involved in potentially risky activities, including sports.
Choose eyewear with safety-rated, impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses. Also, make sure the frame is safety-rated as well.
If you’re doing work outdoors or are frequently in and out of the sun, consider safety-rated photochromic lenses. These lenses are clear indoors and automatically darken in sunlight and are available in polycarbonate.
Eye Safety News
Fireworks — even sparklers — are dangerous to your eyes (and other body parts)
Fireworks are a common accessory to many celebrations, especially around the Fourth of July holiday.
Unfortunately, even fireworks as simple as sparklers can cause serious injury. In 2024, sparklers alone led to an estimated 1,779 emergency department visits, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Other fireworks, like firecrackers, caused about 560 injuries. The most commonly affected areas of the body include the eyes, head, face, mouth and ears.
The CPSC’s 2024 Fireworks Annual Report estimated that 14,741 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms over the year. 10,585 of these occurred between June 16 and July 16, the one-month period surrounding Independence Day.
Fireworks-related injuries continue to peak in early summer, with the vast majority happening during the weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday.
When observing this Independence Day, be sure to celebrate responsibly. Visit CPSC.gov/fireworks for safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
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