Okay, I know what you’re thinking, protective eyewear is not the latest trend hitting the runway this Fall! But perhaps it should be. Did you know that 90% of the eye injuries each year (over 2.5 million world wide per the American Academy of Ophthalmology) could be prevented with protective eyewear. Consider wearing eyewear during the following activities and situations to protect your eyes.

• Sports - Racquetballs, tennis balls, squash balls, pucks and other small balls and objects pose a threat to the eyes during sports participation.  *Consider wearing protective goggles during sports participation to protect your eyes from the trauma of impact as well as debris such as grass, dirt and dust.
• Yardwork – Using a lawn mower, edger, leaf blower or other yard tools? Don’t forget your safety googles. These tools can send debris flying at high speeds and cause trauma from a surface scratch to serious lacerations which could even lead to permanent vision loss.
• Housework – Whether doing intensive spring cleaning or just your typical weekly chores, working with chemicals such as bleach, ammonia (think window cleaner), oven cleaners and more can pose a threat to eye safety. Don’t take chances; protect your eyes from splashes and sprays.
• Home Improvement – Nails, screws, hammers, drills and other hand and power tools all pose a danger of sending wood chips, metal shavings, sparks and more flying into the air.

For the activities listed above, look for safety glasses with side protection or safety goggles that surround the eye.

• Outdoors – Just like you wouldn’t forget your sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, don’t forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. Sunglasses are not only for sunny, summer days. Preventative measures means wearing them year around.

*The Recreation and Fitness Center at SAS requires the use of goggles when participating in racquetball and squash. Check out a loaner pair or purchase a pair during your next visit.

Reach for protective eyewear, and who knows, you may just be the next trend-setter!

Looking for more ways to protect your vision and promote eye health over the lifespan?

• Get regular eye exams.
• Eat a healthy diet, especially one that includes colorful fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, omega-3s and eggs which are all rich in powerful vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support eye health.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid eye strain by looking away from the computer every 20 minutes.

Also be sure to visit your health care provider or eye care provider as soon as you can if you develop eye problems such as decreased or double vision, eye pain, floaters, halos or flashes of light. Some vision problems may be a sign of systemic diseases, so seeing your primary care provider for yearly health care maintenance provides opportunity to screen and manage conditions that can impact eye health.

Check out the American Academy of Ophthalmology.