One Set To Protect: Eye Injury Prevention Month 2025
PRESERVING YOUR VISION STARTS WITH AWARENESS
Every October, we observe Eye Injury Prevention Month – an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the vulnerability of our eyes to injury and the importance of appropriate safety measures. Whether you’re at home, work, or enjoying a favourite hobby, your vision is never something to be taken for granted. The eye is one of the body’s most delicate organs, and even seemingly minor damage can have devastating effects.
Most eye injuries occur due to accidents, which means that with better knowledge and education about risks and precautions, many cases can be prevented. This may include adopting protective precautions such as ensuring proper lighting, following safety guidelines, and wearing safety glasses.
HOW DO EYE INJURIES OCCUR?
An estimated 95% of eye injuries treated in Australian hospitals are the result of carelessness and lack of attention. One way injuries often occur is through foreign objects becoming lodged in the eye. Particles such as metal shavings, glass shards, grass clippings, sand and hazardous chemicals all have the potential to cause corneal abrasions, infection, scarring and further complications.
Blunt force trauma is another common occurrence, and can result in orbital fractures, retinal detachments and other serious eye emergencies. This includes sports-related incidents involving balls and other equipment which may strike a person in the face, as well as wrestlers and martial artists at risk of accidents during sparring.
PREVENTING EYE INJURIES
The best way to deal with an eye injury is to prevent it from ever happening – this October is the perfect opportunity to introduce simple safety measures into your daily habits.
Eye Safety at Work
Work-related eye injuries result in around 500 admissions to Australian hospitals per year. These are often caused through use of high-velocity impact machinery, such as in grinding, welding and drilling – common tasks in the construction and manufacturing industries. Risk is present in any processes in which lightweight foreign bodies travel at speed, as well as wherever you may encounter chemicals and swinging objects.
Within hazardous workplaces, goggles or safety eyewear is essential. For employers, providing protective gear and safety training is vital for ensuring employees keep their eyes free from harm. Other, simple habits can also decrease risks, such as ensuring power tools are well maintained; equipment and chemicals used only as directed; and extra care taken around flammable materials.
Eye Safety at Home
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) claims that almost half of all eye injuries happen at home, where many hazards are often overlooked. This includes everything from sharp objects and chemicals to bottle corks and grass clippings, as well as hazards children may encounter when playing around the house.
When engaging in home maintenance, gardening, or cleaning with harsh chemicals, simple measures such as picking up rocks before mowing and ensuring spray nozzles are pointed away from you can be instrumental in keeping your eyes safe. Safety glasses also provide great protection when chopping wood, trimming trees and dealing with harsh chemicals and fumes.
Eye Safety in Sport
On sports fields, fingers, elbows, balls, bats and sticks all have the potential to cause damage to your eyes, including corneal abrasion, retinal detachment, lid haemorrhages, hyphaemia and more. High risk sports include cricket, football, basketball, tennis and hockey, and children and beginners are more prone to eye trauma incidents due to their underdeveloped skills.
Eye protection or headgear is oftentimes essential for the safety of both professional and recreational athletes and is proven to prevent harm to the eyes. The AAO has found that 40 percent of annual eye injuries are related to sporting activities, and yet proper sports goggles are rarely used.
PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES AT OPTICAL SUPERSTORE
Experts suggest that wearing protective eyewear can prevent up to 90% of eye injuries. At Optical Superstore, we stock fully certified prescription safety eyewear from HOYA which combines absolute clarity with impeccable protection.
HOYA’s revolutionary 1.53 index Phoenix lens material is completely resistant to common chemicals and 10 times stronger than standard CR39 lenses while being ultra-lightweight for extra comfort. These 1.53 safety lenses are certified for medium impact under the SAI Global 1337.6 ANZ standard, meaning they’re ideal for tasks such as grinding, brick cutting and machining metals in industries including mining, construction and agriculture.
Selecting properly fitting, industry specific eyewear is essential in reducing the risk of eye injury, and our expert team at Optical Superstore are on-hand to ensure you receive the best protection available. Invest in tailored prescription lenses which offer clear, crisp vision for single vision, bifocal or multifocal wearers, and upgrade your experience with options including tints, polarisation, photochromic transitions and scratch-resistant coatings.
View a sample of our comprehensive range online:
Made from TR90, this design is suitable for mining, manufacturing, construction and agriculture, and is available in a wide variety of colours.
This matt black TR90 design is suitable for most industries and features adjustable nose pads for added comfort and fit.
Crafted from TR90, this design has adjustable nose pads, detachable temples (interchangeable with a sports strap), a positive seal for high-dust environments, and is suitable for most industries, including: mining, construction, and sports.
EYE SAFETY STARTS IN-STORE AT OPTICAL SUPERSTORE
From athletes and tradespeople to parents and DIY enthusiasts, ocular injuries can happen in any setting, often in the blink of an eye. This Eye Injury Prevention Month, let’s start the conversation about the importance of protecting your eyes and take action to keep them safe for years to come.
At Optical Superstore, we’re here to help find the perfect pair of safety eyewear for your needs and face shape. Visit us in-store today and speak to our friendly team of optical dispensers and assistants about investing in the ideal protection for your workplace, sport or hobby.
