Clarity with Smarter Contact Lens Care Every year on May 5th, World Hand Hygiene...
Clarity with Smarter Contact Lens Care Every year on May 5th, World Hand Hygiene...
Clarity with Smarter Contact Lens Care Every year on May 5th, World Hand Hygiene...
Every October, Eye Injury Prevention Month highlights just how fragile our vision can be and why it’s worth protecting in every setting – at home, at work, or during a favourite pastime. The eye is among the body’s most delicate organs, and even minor harm can have major, lasting consequences.
Injuries happen in an instant and are often the result of preventable accidents. Better understanding of risks, combined with precautions such as wearing appropriate safety eyewear can stop most incidents before they occur. From parents and athletes to tradespeople and DIY hobbyists, protecting your eyes is a universal need.
An estimated 95% of eye injuries treated in Australian hospitals stem from carelessness and lack of attention to basic safety precautions.
Foreign particles are a common culprit. Metal shavings, sand, stone fragments, glass shards, grass clippings, or even chemicals can cause corneal scratches, infection, and scarring. Heavy, blunt impacts also lead to serious issues – sports equipment, stray elbows, or sparring mishaps can cause orbital fractures, retinal detachments and other severe harm.
The best scenario for your eyes is one in which an injury never happens. Experts believe up to 90% of injuries could be avoided with protective eyewear. In environments where materials or projectiles may strike the eye – gardening, using power tools, or working with cleaning products – goggles or safety glasses can greatly mitigate the risk of damage.
Eye Safety at Work
Around 500 Australians are hospitalised annually for workplace eye injuries, many linked to high-velocity machinery in construction, manufacturing, forestry, fishing, agriculture, and mining. Flying or falling particles and sparks – often smaller than a pinhead – account for nearly 70% of recorded accidents. Other hazards include chemicals and swinging objects like ropes, chains, and branches.
Despite the risks, many workers fail to wear safety eyewear. A report from the Centre for Eye Research Australia found that in hospitalisations caused by metal fragments, over half of the workers weren’t wearing eye protection. Employers can reduce risks in their workplaces by providing safety gear and training, and ensuring tools are well maintained and used correctly.
Eye Safety at Home
Almost half of all eye injuries happen in the home, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). From lawn debris to corks, toys, and cleaning agents, hazards are everywhere – and children are especially at risk without supervision.
Precautions include removing debris before mowing, pointing spray nozzles away from the face, washing hands after handling chemicals, and wearing safety glasses for tasks like wood chopping or tree trimming. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reported 21% of DIY-related projects resulted in eye injuries in Australia, yet only 12% of people consistently wore eye protection.
Eye Safety in Sport
Contact sports and those involving fast, dense projectiles – such as cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and hockey – carry high risks for the eyes. Children and beginners face added danger due to less-developed skills. In fact, 30% of sports-related eye injuries in children have the potential to result in permanent vision loss.
Blows to the eye can cause corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, lid haemorrhages, hyphaema and more. The AAO reports 40% of all annual eye injuries are sports-related, and yet protective goggles remain underutilised.
Wearing safety glasses might not feel trendy, but it’s far preferable to losing your vision. Modelling protective habits around children, colleagues, and friends normalises eye safety and encourages others to follow suit. Eye Injury Prevention Month is the perfect time to spread awareness and prevent incidents that could permanently alter someone’s sight.
Island Optical stocks certified HOYA prescription safety eyewear designed for both clarity and impact resistance. HOYA’s Phoenix 1.53 index lens is lightweight, completely resistant to common chemicals and ten times stronger than standard CR39 lenses. Certified for medium impact under the SAI Global 1337.6 ANZ standard, these lenses are ideal for tasks like grinding, brick cutting, and metal machining.
Choose from options tailored for single vision, bifocal, or multifocal needs, and enhance them with tints, polarisation, photochromic features, or scratch-resistant coatings. Finding the perfect pair for your needs and face shape is essential to the efficacy of your safety eyewear, and our experienced team are on-hand to ensure you have the best possible protection.
View a few select styles below or come in-store to explore our full range:
TR90 frame available in multiple colours; suitable for mining, manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
Matt black TR90 frame with adjustable nose pads, suitable for most industries.
Developed with full customisation in mind, the Mojo is made of TR90, features a positive seal for high dust and wind, and comes packed with interchangeable temples/strap for added reliability. Suitable across all industries and trades.
This October, take a moment to assess where you could reduce your risk of eye injury at work, during sports or around home to preserve your vision for years to come. And for expert advice on tailored prescription safety eyewear which combines absolute clarity with impeccable protection, visit us in-store at Hobart or Launceston where our friendly team are eager to assist.
