Eye Safety Notes

Can my contact lens get lost behind my eyeball?

A contact lens that slips off the corneal surface of the eye and moves under the eyelid cannot go far. The conjunctiva, a clear lining that covers the inner surface of the eyelids, forms a small sac or pouch between the eyelid and the eye to contain the eye¡¯s tears. The ¡°lost¡± contact lens can only go as far as the edge of this sac, not behind the eyeball. Usually you can gently manipulate the contact lens back into place. If the lens is difficult to retrieve, you may need to flush your eye with sterile saline. Your eye doctor can advise you on safe methods of retrieving a "lost" lens.

Preventing Eye Injury Around Children

Over one million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States. Almost 50% of these accidents occur at home, and 90% of them could have been prevented.
Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding eye injuries.
Toys and games can be dangerous when used incorrectly.
Pay attention to your child¡¯s age and responsibility level when you buy toys and games. Avoid projectile toys such as darts, pellet guns, etc., which can hit the eye from a distance.
Supervise children when they are playing with toys or games that can be dangerous.
Teach children the correct way to handle items such as scissors and pencils.
BB and pellet guns should be considered as dangerous as regular firearms.

Preventing Eye Injury Around Fireworks

Over one million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States . Almost 50% of these accidents occur at home, and 90% of them could have been prevented.
Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding eye injuries.
All fireworks can be dangerous to people of all ages.
Never allow children to light fireworks.
Do not stand near others when lighting fireworks.
Wear protective safety glasses near fireworks.

Preventing Eye Injury Around the Car

Over one million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States . Almost 50% of these accidents occur at home, and 90% of them could have been prevented.
Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding eye injuries.

Sparks and fumes can ignite rapidly and explode. Battery acid can cause serious eye injuries.
Put out all cigarettes and matches before opening the hood of the car. Use a flashlight - not a match or lighter - to look at the battery at night.
Keep protective goggles with your jumper cables and wear them.
Wear protective goggles for auto body repairs when grinding metal or striking metal against metal.

When you jump-start a car:

Make sure the cars are not touching each other;
Be sure the jumper cable clamps never touch each other;
Never lean over the battery when attaching cables;
Attach the positive cable (red) to the positive terminal of the dead battery first, then attach the other end of the positive cable to the good battery;
Attach the negative terminal of the good battery, then attach the other end of the negative cable to a grounded area on the engine away from the negative terminal of the dead battery. Never attach a cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery.

Preventing Eye Injury In Sports

Over one million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States . Almost 50% of these accidents occur at home, and 90% of them could have been prevented.
Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding eye injuries.
Sports and recreational activities cause more than 31,000 eye injuries each year.
Wear protective safety glasses, especially for sports such as tennis, racquetball, squash, baseball and basketball.
Wear protective caps, helmets or face guards where appropriate, especially for sports such as ice hockey.