Safety Eyewear for your DIY and Workplace

Eye injuries can happen when we least expect them. At the workplace, protective eyewear is often a requirement for high-risk occupations. Did you know that about half of all eye injuries happen right at home? As we are continuing to work from home many people have undertaken home improvement activities, DIY projects, yard work and gardening around the house. Eye safety may not always be top of mind when doing chores around the house but it should be! Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and avoidable eye injuries can lead to permanent vision loss or impairment. Thankfully, 90% of eye injuries are preventable with the use of appropriate safety eyewear.

The risk of injury is high in any environment where things like wood slivers, nails, cement chips, or metal parts are flying around. Wearing safety glasses with protective side shields is a smart choice if you work in fields such as: Construction, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Car Repair, or Landscaping.

At home, be careful when doing yard work, cleaning with chemicals, or cooking with hot oil. Store chemicals securely and read the safety labels. Inspect your lawn for stones and toys so you don’t get hit with flying debris when you mow. Have fun with your DIY projects but make sure you’ve got the right tools and wear safety glasses.

Eye injuries are also very common in sports. Flying balls, bats, rackets, and hockey sticks can come at you in an instant. Wearing the right helmets or eye protection is essential. Make sure you or your student athletes have well-fitting prescription sport glasses or non-Rx protective eyewear before stepping on to the court, field, or ice.

Today’s safety glasses can have fashion and function all while offering more eye protection. Impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses, side shields, and super resilient frames protect your eyes from injury. But you’ve got to remember to wear them. Some people like the ease of contact lenses plus a pair of safety glasses, while others prefer having their Rx put into customized safety glasses. Our optometrist near you, can help you understand what makes sense for your vision based on your individual needs for your work and hobbies.

Don’t forget about keeping your eyes safe in the sun by wearing sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage to the eyes. Consider sports sunglasses if you’re working or playing outdoors and wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare when you’re driving.

A few extra precautions can help to protect our precious gift of sight. Sunglasses, prescription safety glasses, and protective sports eyewear will keep your eyesight safe wherever you happen to be.

In the unfortunate event that you do suffer an eye injury do not hesitate to book an appointment with our Calgary Optometrists. All Albertans are covered by Alberta Health for medically necessary and urgent care visits to our Optometrists. We have the proper knowledge, tools and equipment necessary to diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and refer to a specialist when required. Book your appointment today.