Summertime and the BLINDING is Easy!

Warmer weather, longer days, more time spent outdoors.

This is the formula for serious eye injuries, and we're not just talking about the dangers of fireworks.

This week the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sponsoring the 4th Annual Eye Injury Snapshot Project wherein practicing ophthalmologists are asked to submit clinical data from all trauma cases between 13-20 May. It is an effort to build increased public awareness of eye injury prevention. Hundreds of eye surgeons participate.

Eye trauma is an enormous public health concern. In just a few senseless seconds a life is changed forever

Here are some statistics from the 2006 Eye Injury Project:

• 73% were males
• 49% of all injury victims were between 18-45 years of age
• 40% of eye injuries occurred at home (I would've guessed higher)
• 84% were accidental whereas 12% were due to physical assault
• 77% of all injury victims were not wearing any type of eyewear

Good news, 57% were able to be treated in the doctor's office without hospitalization. You can read the full report.

Remember this advice before we get too far along into summertime and those beautiful sunny days. Always think about eye protection whenever operating manual or power tools, using yard trimmers, performing auto repairs, and even while waterskiing (especially if you've had LASIK!)

Most eye injuries are preventable, but not all eye injuries are reversible.

Related Topics:

• 5 Ways to Protect Your Eyes in Summer
• WebMD Video: Eye Safety

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