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More than one million eye injuries are reported each year. Dr. Michael H. Manning with Gulfcoast Eye Care says most eye injuries can be prevented with a few extra precautions.
Tampa Bay, FL – The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 90 percent of the many eye injuries that occur in the United States each year are preventable. A large number of these injuries cause serious, life-changing effects – including blindness. July, 2015 is Eye Injury Prevention Month, and Dr. Michael Manning, an eye doctor in Tampa and the St. Petersburg area, is offering some tips on how to protect the eyes while at work, home, play, and even just taking in some sun.
One of the leading causes of vision impairment in America, eye injuries can occur with lightning speed and when they are least expected. Dr. Manning says the most important thing a person can do to protect their eyes from harm is to wear protective glasses or safety goggles in high-risk environments. Some of the environments and activities that are conducive to eye injury include:
Dr. Manning says home and work activities may involve harmful chemicals in cleaning supplies, projectiles from lawn maintenance machines or other tools, and additional factors that can increase the risk of eye injury. He notes that jump-starting a car can lead to sparks, acid, and other debris flying dangerously close in a split second, and many types of sporting and recreational activities can lead to facial impacts that can seriously damage the eyes. Even the sun can damage the eyes, he adds, so sunglasses with U-V protection should be worn in addition to sunscreen.
Dr. Manning and his team at Gulfcoast Eye Care say fireworks are also a major risk, and the best thing for people to do to protect their eyes is to be sure to attend a public, professional fireworks display and keep a safe distance instead of setting off fireworks at home. If the latter is planned, Dr. Manning says it’s important to make sure that all bystanders and the person setting off the fireworks are wearing eye protection, and that everyone, particularly children, are at a safe distance. He says approaching or touching unexploded fireworks is also extremely dangerous.
Dr. Manning says eyewear and safety goggles that are designed to protect the eyes for specific activities and events are crucial to ensuring some level of safety. He notes that one should immediately get help if an eye injury occurs. Dr. Manning says, with a little extra precaution, the large majority of eye injuries each year can be prevented. He hopes that July’s Eye Injury Prevention Month will spread awareness about the potential for these types of injuries, and help people take the steps they need to protect their eyesight for years to come.
About Michael H. Manning, MD, FACS
Dr. Michael Manning is a board-certified ophthalmologist and the director of Gulfcoast Eye Care in the Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg area. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Manning is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and other organizations. Gulfcoast Eye Care offers a comprehensive selection of eye and vision care treatments, including LASIK laser vision correction and procedures for eye conditions such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and others. Dr. Manning is available for interview upon request.
The practice can be reached online at gulfcoasteyecare.com and facebook.com/gulfcoasteyecare.
Contact:
Gulfcoast Eye Care
Palm Harbor Office
2650 Tampa Rd.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Pinellas Park Office
6036 Park Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
(727) 346-8696
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