American Academy of Ophthalmology offers simple tips to prevent eye injuries among seniors and other household members.

SAN FRANCISCO – Most people know that loose railings, sharp edges, and slippery stairs in the home can lead to painful falls for seniors, children and other household members. But what many people don’t realize is slips and falls are one of the most common causes of eye injury in the home.

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month and through its EyeSmart campaign the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds seniors and their caregivers to be especially aware of their home environment and take preventive steps to lessen their risk of eye injury.

“Falling in the bath tub or shower, or against a nightstand or a doorknob is all too common among seniors,” said Paul T. Urrea, MD, ophthalmologist in Los Angeles and a clinical correspondent for the Academy. “The injuries that the eye sustains from those types of falls can be devastating. For the sake of your loved ones, you should take the proper precautions and prevent dangerous and potentially blinding accidents in the home.”

Data from the Academy’s Eye Injury Snapshot, an annual clinical survey of eye injuries across the U.S., shows that approximately 11 percent of all eye injuries in the home are caused by slips and falls, making it one of the most common causes of eye injuries. There are 2.5 million eye injuries in the U.S. annually, about half of which happen in the home.

Consider taking these safety steps around the home to diminish the risks of injuring your eyes:

• Make sure that  rugs and shower/bath-tub mats are slip-proof;
• secure railings so that they are not loose;
• cushion sharp corners and edges of furnishings and home fixtures.

Eye injuries in the home can also be caused by common household tasks or projects, such as using chemical cleaners, working with power tools or doing yard work. The Academy recommends that every household in America have at least one pair of ANSI-approved* protective eyewear to be worn when doing projects and activities at home.

In the event you do suffer an eye injury, have an ophthalmologist examine the injury as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor at first. Eye injuries can lead to long-term eye health problems, including the development of glaucoma and cataracts.

Additional information regarding eye injury prevention and treatment can be found at www.geteyesmart.org.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The Academy is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons - Eye M.D.s - with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye healthcare is provided by three sources - opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org. 

*ANSI-approved protective eyewear is manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) eye protection standard. ANSI-approved protective eye wear can be easily purchased from most hardware stores nationwide and can be identified by the mark "Z87" placed on the eye wear. ANSI-approved protective eyewear is not approved for use in sports. To locate appropriate eyewear for specific sports talk to your ophthalmologist or visit www.geteyesmart.org.

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