The importance of eye health in older adults cannot be over emphasized. Good vision in seniors is important to prevent vision loss, and contribute to a better quality of life, allowing them to enjoy hobbies and socialize.
Various everyday activities like sports, gardening or even cleaning can lead to accidental eye injuries. Flying particles, chemicals or radiation can also injure the eyes. An eye injury can be very painful and can cause temporary or permanent vision loss, if not properly taken care of.
Causes Of Eye Injuries
Some common causes of eye injuries include:
- Workplace Hazards: Industrial workers especially, are at greater risk of occupational hazards like flying debris and harsh chemicals, which could cause severe eye injuries.
- Falls and Collisions: Falling into structures like door knobs and chairs, forcefully colliding with another person or car accidents where shattered glass could get into the eyes.
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient or poor lighting can make it difficult to see hazards thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
- Household Accidents: Eye injuries can occur from doing everyday tasks such as gardening, cleaning or cooking which may cause exposure to harsh chemicals or debris which could lead to sustaining an eye injury.
- Decreased Visual Acuity: Older people often experience a decline in visual sharpness, making it harder to see objects clearly, this can lead to increased risk of accidents.
Symptoms of Eye injuries
It is difficult to tell how severe eye injuries are just by looking at the eyes. Sand or dust that gets into the eye temporarily are less likely to be severe. Although, all eye injuries should be considered serious. Here are some signs and symptoms of eye injury to look out for;
- Eye deformity
- Vision changes
- Eye bleeding
- Pain and swelling
- Changes in eye appearance
How To Prevent an Eye Injury
Many eye injuries are quite preventable. The most basic step to take to prevent yourself from an eye injury is by wearing the right protective eyewear for a particular activity.
Preventing eye injuries in seniors requires taking several proactive measures such as;
- Wearing Protective eyewear: Use safety goggles or glasses when engaging in activities that pose a risk to the eyes, such as sports that involve throwing balls, or boxing, construction work or using power tools.
- Educate on Eye Safety: Ensure you are adequately educated about eye safety and the importance of eye health especially in seniors.
- Maintaining a Safe Environment: Keep living spaces free of clutter to prevent trips and falls. Ensure good lighting in all areas to enhance visibility and to reduce the risk of accidents that can be caused by poorly lit rooms.
- Be Cautious with Household Chemicals: When using cleaning products with harsh chemicals, wear protective eyewear to prevent splashes from entering the eyes and follow the safety guidelines written on the product.
- Managing Health Conditions: Properly managing health conditions like diabetes and arthritis can help reduce the risk of accidents that could lead to eye injuries.
- Regular Eye Exams: Schedule regular check-ups with an eye care professional to monitor eye health and address any issues early, and in the case of an identified issue, engage in follow up visits to help manage the symptoms, adjust treatment plans, monitor healing and get adequate enlightenment on eye health and seek community support if needed.
By taking these precautions, older adults can significantly reduce the likelihood of eye injuries.
First-Aid Steps to Care for Eye Injuries
Eye injuries can happen unexpectedly and knowing how to respond quickly can make a significant difference in outcomes. Whether it’s a foreign object or chemical exposure, understanding first aid steps at home is essential for protecting vision and ensuring safety.
These safety precautions include:
- The eyes should be washed with clean water or saline solution if exposed to any harsh chemicals.
- The eyes should not be touched with anything, rubbed with hands, or trying to remove the foreign body, because this will harm the eye.
- If a sharp object is stuck in the eye, do not try to remove it and seek care immediately.
- For all other injuries, consult a specialist before you try to treat them at home. Call immediately if any signs of eye injury persist. Untreated, many eye injuries can cause low vision, blindness and other eye problems.
Understanding the risks of eye injuries and knowing the appropriate first aid procedures can significantly impact the outcome of an eye related incident. Prioritizing eye safety is essential, especially for the vulnerable population, like the older adults, and being proactive can make all the difference in protecting the eyesight.
At Vitalis Healthcare, the comfort and safety of seniors is our topmost priority. Reach out to us today if you or any of your loved ones are suffering any eye injury. We can assist you in taking proactive steps toward protecting your vision and maintaining your independence.
Phone Number: 240.716.6874
Email: info@vitalishealthcare.com
Location: We provide our services in every county in the State of Maryland, United States of America.
Office Address: 8757 Georgia Avenue Suite 440 Silver Spring, MD 20910