Most of us are unaware that wearing eyeglasses comes with some risks. Some eyeglass wearers choose eyeglasses over contact lenses because they consider them the safer alternative. However, eyeglasses do present a safety risk for some wearers.
Let’s examine some of these risks and discover how to prevent eyeglass related injuries.
Age and Activity Factors
One year-long study on eyeglass injuries collected data on emergency room cases. About 27,000 people suffered injuries from their eyeglasses during that period. Many eyeglass-related injuries among the elderly resulted from falls.
The second highest category of eyeglass-related injuries was sports related. The average age of patients in this group was between 1 and 17 years old. The highest number of injuries was with people aged 18-64 years old.
Preventing Sports Injuries
The proper use of safety glasses could prevent many injuries, especially for those involved in sports activities. If you play sports, consider wearing sports glasses, which are designed to protect the eyes during vigorous exercise. There are many types of eyeglasses that are made to provide protection during sports, including wraparound glasses and thicker glasses with plastic lenses and flexible frames.
Active patients would do well to invest in two pairs of glasses; one for day-to-day wear and one for sports activities.
Elder Care
Because the elderly are more prone to falls that may crack or damage their eyewear, they could also benefit from more protective eyewear. Elderly people also need education and support to help prevent falls but the extent to which help is available may influence their susceptibility to falls.
Plastic lenses and durable frames can help to reduce the risk of injury associated with broken glasses.
Work Place Safety
Thousands of North Americans suffer eye injuries on the job every year. Most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing a pair of high-quality safety glasses with impact-resistant lenses. Some safety glasses are made with the same material used for jet windshields. Because they are built and tested to withstand high-impact projectiles, the chance of them shattering on impact is slim to none. Also, safety glasses give you 360 degree coverage.
Safety goggles worn over regular glasses are not safe because the regular glasses prevent the safety glasses from sitting where they’re supposed to on your face. If you wear safety glasses on a regular basis and need prescription lenses, the safest option is to buy prescription safety glasses.
Talk to a Professional
Although there are some risks associated with wearing eyeglasses, wearing them is much safer than not wearing them or even using contact lenses. Contacts are generally safe but may pose some risks, such as corneal abrasion, for some wearers. There is no one perfect lens for everyone so talk to your eye care professional for help on deciding what type of corrective lens is best for you based on your lifestyle.
