Over 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace each year in the United States, requiring the injured person to take time off from work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, further reports that workplace eye injuries cost an estimated $300 million annually in lost employee productivity, medical treatment and expenses, and workers’ compensation payments of different types. Five of the most common work-related eye injuries involve chemicals, flying objects, tools, airborne particles, or a combination of these hazards.

Chemicals 

In reality, nearly every workplace has chemicals on site that may result in eye injuries. If nothing else, a workplace usually has cleaning supplies on site. Even these products may contain chemicals that can cause an eye injury. There are certain types business at which extremely hazardous chemicals are present. If one of these chemicals end up in a person’s eye, severe damage will likely result. Indeed, permanent damage is a possibility in some instances.

Flying Objects

Another common work-related eye injury involves flying objects that come into contact with one’s eyes. This is because objects can become airborne for a number of different reasons.

In the case of a manufacturing establishment, equipment and machinery of different types will likely cause items of different sizes to become airborne. Even something as basic as horseplay in the workplace might cause an object to become airborne, which may subsequently come into contact with one’s eyes.

Tools

Tools of different types represent another common cause of eye injuries in the workplace. More often than not, when a tool causes an eye injury it is because the piece is not being used properly. However, there are some tools that are inherently dangerous themselves and pose a threat to a worker even if used properly.

Particles

Particles in the air may cause eye injuries in the workplace as well. Particles can end up in the work environment in a number of ways. For example, a manufacturing process may cause particles to be released into the air. Without proper ventilation, these particles may accumulate in the air in the workplace, ultimately coming into contact with with a worker’s eyes.

Combination of Hazards

Unfortunately, an eye injury may involve more than one hazard. For example, a manufacturing process may involve the use of chemicals while also releasing particulates into the air. The chemicals and the airborne particles may interplay, causing a worker to suffer an eye injury.

Workers’ Compensation Claim

An eye injury in the workplace may result in a workers’ compensation claim. Milwaukee WI workers’ compensation lawyersfocus their practices on providing legal representation to injured workers. As a general rule, a workers’ compensation attorney charges no fee for an initial consultation with an injured worker.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Hickey & Turim, S.C. for their insight into work-related eye injuries.

According to the National Institutes of Health, motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of eye injuries in the United States. At least 9,200 eye injuries occur every year from automobile accidents. Eye injuries can result in temporarily impaired vision or complete loss of vision. Some of the factors that are likely to cause eye injuries during a car crash include:

• Rapid changes in velocity
• Broken glass
• Deployment of airbags
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Direct contact with various objects

The following are some of the most common eye injuries caused by auto accidents.

Corneal abrasions

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped area located at the front of the eye. While it partially protects the eye, its main purpose is to focus and control light. Corneal abrasions are likely the most common type of eye injury. When a person suffers a corneal abrasion, the cornea is scratched. Symptoms may include pain, discomfort, redness and sensitivity to light. Luckily, most corneal abrasions can be easily treated.

Black eye

A black eye occurs when trauma from a foreign object causes blood vessels under the skin to break. Blood and other fluids might cause the area around the eye to swell and bruise. A black eye shouldn’t be ignored, as bleeding between the cornea and iris could lead to blindness. Although a black eye is probably easily treated with ice, it may be a good idea to consult with an eye doctor for safe measure.

Cuts to the eyelid

Eyelid cuts can also be caused by trauma during a car accident. These cuts should be looked at carefully by an eye doctor, as there might be damage to the eyeball as well. If stitches are needed, care must be taken to ensure that the stitches themselves do not damage the cornea and further complicate the healing process.

Detached retina

The retina is made up of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends messages to the brain through the optic nerve. The injury itself might be painless, but an accident victim with a torn retina may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Particles throughout their field of vision
• Flashes of light
• Blurred vision
• Impaired side vision

A torn retina might result from trauma or even rapid acceleration and deceleration. Retinal detachment is a serious condition, and the longer it goes untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.

Hyphemia

This condition occurs when blood accumulates at the anterior chamber of the eye between the cornea and the iris. Pain and blurred vision are the most common symptoms, but a large hyphema might make the affected eye look as if it’s filled with blood. If this occurs, one should seek medical treatment immediately as this condition may be serious. The condition will likely resolve over time with proper care and treatment.

Orbital fracture

An orbital fracture involves an injury to the bone surrounding the eye socket. The three different types of orbital fractures include:

• Rim fractures that are commonly seen in car accidents
• Blowout fractures when the rim remains intact but the floor of the eye socket is fractured
• Direct orbital fractures, which are rim fractures extending to the floor of the socket

Smaller orbital fractures probably won’t require surgery and are typically treated conservatively. More serious orbital fractures will likely require surgery, particularly if movement of the eye is impeded by the fracture. For the sake of your vision, any eye injury should be examined and treated by an eye doctor specialist.

“Pinkeye” is a term often used to describe the inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.  This is also called conjunctivitis.  The conjunctiva is the clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid as well as the white part of the eye.  There are many causes of “pinkeye” or conjunctivitis and allergies are just one cause.

When allergies cause the conjunctivitis, it is referred by to as allergic conjunctivitis.  Other causes of conjunctivitis include infections, trauma, a foreign body in the eye, subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding), chemicals, certain autoimmune diseases, and other irritants such as smoke.  Infectious causes are usually due to either viruses or bacteria.  Most of the causes of conjunctivitis other than allergies and autoimmune diseases usually affect only one eye.

When allergies cause conjunctivitis, both eyes are usually affected.  Note that allergies can affect many other parts of the body including the skin, nose, throat, ears, sinuses, and lungs.  Most people with allergic conjunctivitis also experience allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever).  Allergic rhinitis symptoms may include some or all of the following:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy nose
• Sinus pressure
• Headaches
• Fatigue

When allergens affect the lungs, asthma can occur and individuals will complain of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and/or chest tightness.  People that have a history of allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, or other allergic conditions are more likely to have allergic conjunctivitis.  We will focus on allergies of the eyes which is very irritating and annoying to individuals that suffer from eye allergies.

Some of the common symptoms of eye allergies include:

• Itchiness
• Redness
• Watery eyes
• Puffiness of the eyelids
• Thick crusty discharge
• The feeling that one’s eyes are stuck together.

Allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis are primarily due to an allergic reaction to specific allergens such as pollens, molds, pets, and dust mites which affect the eyes and nose causing symptoms.

Allergic conjunctivitis is diagnosed fairly easily by a board certified allergist or ophthalmologist.  Allergists commonly skin test individuals to different allergens that they are likely to come in contact with in order to diagnose this condition.  The positive skin tests, in conjunction with a thorough history and physical examination, will usually be enough of a work up in order to make a definitive diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis.  Occasionally, blood tests are used instead of skin tests in selected patients, depending on the circumstance of the individual.  Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is treated.

Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated by a Washington DC allergist in a multitude of ways.  Prevention is the most desirable, meaning that the individual is to avoid the offending allergen such as cat, dog, tree pollen, etc.  This is not always possible, but there are many things that can be done by the patient to reduce his/her exposure to these allergens.

In addition to prevention, treatment can include oral antihistamines, eye drops, and even nasal sprays to treat the eye allergies.  It often may take several trials of different medications or combinations of medications to get the desired relief from the irritating eye symptoms.  In patients that have severe eye symptoms or more of a chronic eye problem due to allergies, allergy shots (i.e., allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization, allergy injections), are very effective in preventing the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.  They also can help treat allergic rhinitis and asthma in most instances.  Allergy shots have been used for more than 100 years and are effective in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or allergic asthma in 80-85% of the cases.  They can be give to people of all ages from little children to the elderly.

If you suffer from “pinkeye” or “pinkeyes,” you may make an appointment with your ophthalmologist and/or allergist, so that they can determine its cause and treat you promptly and appropriately.

Thanks to our friend and blog author, Michael R. Kletz of Black & Kletz Allergy, for his insight into the symptoms, causes, and treatments of eye allergies.

How Car Accidents and Eye Injuries Are Connected: Your Laguna Hills Eye Doctor Explains

Car accidents are one major reason why people make appointments to see their local Laguna Hills eye doctor. Although many do not realize it, car accidents can easily cause injuries in and around the brain, and brain injuries may be directly connected to ocular injuries too. At the Retina Associates of Orange County, many patients have come to our office with eye injuries related to traumatic brain injuries, or other traumas caused by car accidents.

We believe that it is important for patients to feel comfortable with their Laguna Hills eye doctor when they come to the Retina Associates of Orange County. While an experienced Laguna Hills eye doctor will acknowledge that every person’s case is unique, patients should feel comfortable in knowing that certain eye injuries may be common and treatable.

When an individual is involved in a car accident — even a minor one — it is possible to sustain injuries to the head, neck, and brain. These injuries may require extensive and continued treatment from an eye doctor Laguna Hills can trust. If your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, a car accident lawyer may suggest you seek compensation to help with the cost of your necessary treatment.

Whiplash is a common injury resulting from car accidents whereby the neck is jolted suddenly and extends or turns in an unnatural way. It’s possible for this type of sudden movement to cause an eye injury without having any effect on the brain.

If the individual suffers a blunt force to the head or neck, such as coming in contact with an airbag as it deploys, the risk of suffering a brain and/or eye injury may increase. Although brain injuries do not necessarily lead to ocular injuries, it is possible for an accident to cause both.

Three common types of eye injuries that an experienced eye doctor in Laguna Hills may see as a result from car accidents are:

1. Retinal tears and detachment: The retina may become detached from the eye when it loses its “connection” with the vitreous, a clear gel in the middle section of the eye. A strong enough force can cause the vitreous to pull away from the retina and tear it; in some cases, it can pull the retina off of the eye.
2. Vitreous hemorrhage: The vitreous is an essential part of the eye; light passes through the vitreous and hits the retina, and the vitreous must be clear so that images are processed correctly. A severe car accident may cause blood vessels in the eye to rupture and bleed into the vitreous.
3. Damage to the optic nerve: Patients who have experienced brain damage may be more likely to experience optic nerve damage as well. An injury affecting the head could potentially create a great deal of swelling in and around the brain, which puts pressure onto a part of each eye called the optic nerve. When one or both optic nerves is under too much pressure, the nerves can be damaged and potentially lead to loss of vision.

Call Today For an Appointment With a Laguna Hills Eye Doctor

If you have been involved in a car accident and you believe you may be suffering from an eye injury, contact the Retina Associates of Orange County today. Our team of eye doctors and retina specialists welcomes inquiries from prospective clients, and we’re happy to sit down with new patients and discuss possible treatment options for accident-related injuries. To request an appointment at our Laguna Hills office, call us today at (949) 777-5011.

At the Retina Associates of Orange County, we’re proud that our patients always know they can call us when they need a Laguna Hills eye doctor they can trust.