What Eye Injury Prevention Month Means for Protecting Your Retina in Pittsburgh, PA

Key Takeaways

• October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, a reminder that many serious eye injuries are preventable with the right precautions.
• Eye injuries are one of the more common preventable causes of vision loss, and they can raise the risk of a detached retina.
• Wearing protective eyewear during sports, home projects, and yard work can prevent most eye injuries before they happen.
• A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow over part of the vision can be early warning signs of retinal detachment and call for immediate care.
• Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists provides comprehensive eye exams and retinal care across its Pittsburgh-area locations, and patients who notice these symptoms should request an appointment right away.

Appointments

Why Eye Injury Prevention Month Matters

Every October, eye care providers use Eye Injury Prevention Month to remind patients that a large share of eye injuries can be avoided altogether. Many people do not think about eye safety until an accident happens, whether that is during a weekend basketball game, a home improvement project, or routine yard work. According to the National Eye Institute, eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness in children in the United States, and most of these injuries happen during sports. The encouraging part is that wearing the right protective eyewear can prevent 9 out of 10 sports-related eye injuries.

Everyday Situations That Put the Eyes at Risk

Eye injuries do not only happen on the field or the court. Common situations that can lead to an eye injury include:

• Playing contact or racquet sports without protective eyewear.
• Using power tools or lawn equipment during home projects.
• Working with chemicals or cleaning products without eye protection.
• Sustaining a direct blow to the eye or face from an accident or fall.

Any of these situations can cause more than a temporary scrape or bruise. A hard enough impact to the eye can lead to a torn or detached retina, which is a medical emergency.

How an Eye Injury Can Lead to Retinal Detachment

The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that sends visual signals to the brain. When the retina is pulled away from its normal position, it is called retinal detachment, and it can lead to permanent vision loss if it is not treated quickly.

The National Eye Institute explains that the most common causes of retinal detachment are aging or an eye injury, and that people who have had a serious eye injury are at higher risk. This is one of the most important reasons to take eye protection seriously, since preventing the injury in the first place is the best way to protect the retina behind it.

Warning Signs of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is often painless, which is part of what makes it dangerous. Patients should seek immediate care from an eye doctor or emergency room if they notice:

• A sudden increase in floaters, or small dark spots and squiggly lines drifting through the field of vision.
• Flashes of light in one eye or both eyes.
• A dark shadow or curtain-like effect over part of the field of vision.

These same symptoms are discussed in more detail on the Everett & Hurite eye floaters and flashes page, since a sudden change in floaters or flashes is one of the clearest signals that a comprehensive eye exam is needed right away.

Retinal Detachment: Risk Factors at a Glance

Treatment and the Importance of Prompt Care

Retinal detachment requires prompt evaluation and, in almost all cases, surgical repair by a retinal specialist to reattach the retina and prevent further vision loss. The retinal specialists at Everett & Hurite evaluate each patient's condition individually to determine the safest and most effective repair option for their specific type of detachment. Patients should always speak with their eye doctor directly about which treatment approach is right for them, since the recommended course of care can vary based on the size, location, and cause of the detachment.

How to Protect Your Eyes This October and Beyond

Eye Injury Prevention Month is a good opportunity to build habits that protect the eyes year-round:

• Wear ANSI-approved or sport-specific protective eyewear during high-risk activities.
• Use safety glasses or goggles during home repairs, yard work, or when working with chemicals.
• Schedule a comprehensive eye exam so an eye doctor can check the retina for early warning signs.
• Seek care immediately after any direct blow to the eye, even if vision seems normal at first.

Protecting Your Vision Starts With a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Eye Injury Prevention Month is a timely reminder that protecting the retina often starts with protecting the eye itself. Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists has served the Pittsburgh region since 1974 and offers comprehensive eye exams and retinal care designed to catch problems early, before they threaten vision.

If it has been a while since your last comprehensive eye exam, or if you have noticed new floaters or flashes of light, schedule an appointment with Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists today at one of their convenient Pittsburgh-area locations.

Frequently Asked Questions