Eye safety at home 

You can protect your eyes from injury at home by following these tips:

• Make sure the edges of furnishing and home fixtures have no sharp edges.

• Install lights and handrails to improve safety on stairs.

• Be careful when opening bottles for wine or carbonated drinks.

• Wear chemical safety goggles when using hazardous solvents and detergents. Don’t mix cleaning agents.

• Turn nozzles away from your face before spraying.

• Wash your hands after using household chemicals.

• Use guards on all power equipment.

• Wear protective eye gear while using a lawnmower or weed trimmer, because debris may fly through the air. 

Eye safety outdoors and at play 

Follow these tips to help keep your eyes safe:

• Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays when you are outside. Wear them even on cloudy days. 

• Never look directly at the sun, especially during an eclipse.

• Read and follow directions before playing games or using equipment.

• Wear safety goggles or glasses during sports and leisure activities.

• Wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield during high-impact sports.

• Wear safety goggles while using a device that shoots pellets, arrows, paint balls, or other projectiles.

• Wear safety goggles when handling fireworks. 

When to see a healthcare provider 

Go to an eye care provider as soon as possible if you have any signs of eye problems. These may include:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Excess tears

• Tired, aching, or heavy eyelids

• Eye pain

• Problems with focusing

• Muscle spasms of the eye or eyelid

• Frequent headaches

• Vision changes

Get medical care right away for any eye injury. Don't try to treat eye injuries on your own.