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How to protect your eyes this Fourth of July POSTED ON JULY 3, 2019 BY ANNA B
Fireworks, sunshine,
sandy beaches, parades: the Fourth of July is the epitome of summer fun! No
matter how you choose to celebrate, it is important to make sure you are doing
so safely. Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is the time of year when
hospitals see the most patients for eye injuries. Keeping your eye safety in
check can be simple and easy to do while enjoying summer activities, here are
some tips on hope to protect your eyes during this holiday weekend: Fireworks
Although
they’re fun to watch, fireworks are one of the most
common reasons for eye injury during the time surrounding the
Fourth of July. There was an estimated 9,100 emergency room visits for
fireworks-related injuries in 2018, 5,600 of those (62%) occurred from June
22nd to July 22nd. If fireworks are not set off safely, there is a risk for
rupturing the globe of the eye, corneal abrasions, chemical and thermal burns,
and retinal detachment – all of which are capable of causing
permanent eye damage or vision loss. How can we help reduce these
risks? Check out these tips:
● Keep
children away from where the fireworks are set off do not
allow running or horseplay. Children under 15 years old are at the
highest risk (36% of
all cases) for being injured from fireworks ● Set
off fireworks in a clean, clear area away from any flammable
materials. Keep a bucket of water next to the launching site in case of
emergency. ● Wear
safety goggles if you are the one setting off fireworks to
avoid debris damaging your eyes. ● If
you do end up getting an eye injury from fireworks…do not attempt
to rub, rinse, apply pressure, or apply ointment to the eye. Go to the
emergency room as fast as possible after the accident. UV Rays
There
are two types of UV rays: UV-A and UV-B. These
types of sun rays can damage your eyes in different ways, and it is very
important to protect your vision from the issues these rays are capable of
causing. UV-A rays can hurt your central vision while UV-B rays, the more
damaging of the two, affect the cornea and the lens of your eye. Exposure to
these types of sun rays can cause very serious, long-term eye issues.
Protecting your eyes from these damaging rays can be as easy as a day at the
beach, here are some tips:
● Wear
sunglasses that are clearly labeled to have UV protection.
Wearing sunglasses will also decrease the possibility of debris getting into your
eyes. ● Contact
lenses that have UV protection in them. However, the lenses
only protect the part of your eye that they cover so make sure to still wear
sunglasses when you are out in the sun. ● Wear
a brimmed hat or cap to limit UV ray exposure on your eyes and
face Parades
Fourth
of July parades are full of fun, floats, and American traditions such as
sparklers and “TNT poppers”. The lively aspects of a parade come along with
several risks to your eye health. In fact, sparklers are a major danger and
burn at a temperature of 1,800
degrees fahrenheit, sending 500 people to the hospital in 2018.
Here’s how you can enjoy the parade while keeping your eyes safe:
● Supervise
children when they are using sparklers and make sure that they
are old enough to understand the risks and the safe way to hold them away from
their face. ● Supervise
children using TNT poppers, making sure that they are using
them properly and do not throw them at each other. ● Use
caution around parade floats if they are throwing candy or
other party favors to parade go-ers, make sure it does not hit you in the eye. Swimming
Soaking
up the sun by the pool or on the beach during the Fourth of July is a great way
to relax and celebrate the holiday. If you are planning on swimming, there are
a couple risks you need to take into account to protect your eye health. Pools
and oceans can contain several chemicals and types of bacteria that can be
harmful to your eyes if they are not properly protected. These pollutants can destroy
the tear filmof your eyes, which is what keeps them moist, smooth,
and clear. Here are some tips that you do not have to experience dry, itchy
eyes on the holiday: ● Wearing
goggles is the best way to block any pollutants, debris, or
bacteria from entering your eyes.
● Take
care of your eyes after you’re done swimming by washing them
with clean, filtered water and applying eye drops if they feel dry ● Take
out your contact lenses before swimming. If you do not, it
puts you at a high risk for a corneal infection ● Stay
hydrated to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Protecting
your eyes doesn’t have to be difficult. Sven Can See products will help assist
you in keeping your eyewear up to your standards. Our lens cleaner and anti-fog
gel are biodegradable, alcohol and ammonia-free, and are the perfect way to
keep your sunglasses clean and your swim goggles fog-free. Celebrate the Fourth
while keeping your eyes safe! For more information, check out our website: https://www.svencansee.com
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