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October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, which is an excellent time to remind patients about accident prevention and safety eyewear. You can take this opportunity to educate patients on potential risks and protective measures to set them up for optimal eye health year-round.
Workplace Eye Injuries
Eye injuries are not only painful and visually debilitating but also costly. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace eye injuries cost businesses approximately $300 million a year.
Your patients may not be aware that their job should entail safety eyewear. Be sure to discuss potential workplace hazards:
Eye Safety at Home
Many people believe they are at higher risk for eye injuries in the workplace. However, the Eye Injury Snapshot survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma found that nearly 50 percent of eye injuries occur at home.
Common sources of household eye injuries include:
Provide Guidance on Proper Safety Eyewear
When reviewing eye health and safety with patients, remember to discuss needs at home, recreationally and in the workplace. In general, all safety eyewear should meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, with a designation of ANSI Z87.1.
ANSI Z87.1 standards do not cover other hazards like bloodborne pathogens, X-rays, high-energy particulate radiation, microwaves, radio-frequency radiation, lasers, masers and recreation. For workplace safety eyewear, OSHA provides further guidance on the selection of proper face and eye protection for various industries. ASTM International sets safety standards for sports eyewear, which are specific to a variety of sports.
R&D Optical Lab carries occupational eyewear and prescription safety glasses for a wide range of professions, including laboratory personnel, mechanics, pilots, professional athletes and more. R and D Optical Lab offers safety frames from Hudson, Titmus, Art Craft Workforce, ArmoRx and Bolle and On-Guard. Prescribe safety eyewear as a second pair to encourage optical sales and build patient loyalty by offering specialized eyewear they won’t find elsewhere. Please visit our website RandDOptical.com or call us at 513-273-4034 to find out about safety eyewear and other optical products. For more tips and our latest updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or LinkedIn!
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