An eye injury can detrimentally impact a person’s quality of life, independence and mobility. So, in this article, we’re going to be exploring if glasses can protect your eyes from an injury…

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Around two million people in the UK suffer some form of eye injury or sight loss every year. An eye injury can be devastating, and, in some cases, victims have to look into medical negligence eye claims to seek the compensation they deserve. 

Protecting your eyes is incredibly important, moreover, in this article, we’re going to be exploring if glasses can protect your eyes from injury.

What are some common eye injuries?

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Our eyes are delicate and can be injured in a number of ways, including: 

  • Scratches – Scratched eyes are an incredibly common eye injury and can be caused by fingernails, airborne debris, tree branches and even clothing. Most eye scratches are minor and will heal by themselves within a day or two if you don’t keep rubbing at the eye. A scratch can often feel like something is in your eye and you may be tempted to rub it however this will usually only make it worse. 
  • Cuts – A little more serious than a scratch, cuts to the eye can occur in a number of ways, such as flying metal, glass or wood debris while working with tools. It’s recommended to seek medical attention for a cut to the eye. 
  • Burns – Working with chemicals, either in the workplace or at home can result in burns to the eye if protective clothing is not used. These burns will usually require the attention of a medical professional. 
  • Medical negligence – On occasion, an eye injury can happen as a result of medical negligence. For example, an error or incompetence during sight correction or laser surgery may cause an injury. In this instance, the patient may want to seek legal advice as well as further medical treatment.
  • Violence – Being hit in the eye can cause redness and bruising as well as making the eye appear bloodshot. In most cases, you can treat this kind of injury yourself with a cold compress but, if symptoms or pain persist, you should think about seeking medical attention. If an eye injury has occurred as a result of deliberate violence against you by another person, this should be reported to your local police who will be able to advise you on any further action that you may be entitled to take. 

Can glasses protect your eyes from injury?

The answer to that is yes and no. Although spectacles are not designed to prevent injury, they can, in some instances, shield your eyes. For instance, glasses may be able to protect you from airborne debris or from contact when playing sports, as well as preventing eye strain. 

Glasses should not, however, be relied on as a form of eye protection, particularly when working with tools or chemicals. Glasses do not cover the entire eye area of the face moreover; it is possible to receive a minor or serious eye injury while wearing these. 

How to protect your eyes from injury

Eye safety is incredibly important, particularly when working with tools or chemicals and you should always take measures to protect your eyes, including: 

  • Wearing the appropriate safety goggles when working with tools or chemicals and when working in the home for example, mowing the lawn or performing DIY jobs. These should also be worn when handling fireworks and using a gun for recreational purposes, such as clay pigeon shooting. 
  • If you’re a glasses wearer, these should be secured when playing sports. You can buy specialist straps for your spectacles to help keep them in place and stop them from falling off or moving around during exercise. Alternatively, you can make your own if you’re feeling crafty.  
  • Always following instructions when working with chemicals. 
  • Making sure that all equipment has the appropriate safety guards.
  • Turning nozzles away from your face before switching on.
  • Checking your home for sharp edges at points at eye level which may cause injury.
  • Ensuring that your home and workplace are properly lit with no blind spots which may cause accidents or injury. 
  • Use eye drops on a regular basis to keep eyes moist and to help flush out dust and debris. 

If your work involves tools or chemicals, your employer should provide you with the appropriate personal protection equipment. If this is not offered by your employer, you may be entitled to financial compensation in the event of an eye injury or another form of injury. 

Keeping your eyes in perfect health

It’s hard to overstate the importance of eye health when an eye injury can very much have life-changing consequences including blindness or partial loss of sight. For this reason, it’s important to remain mindful of your eyes when completing tasks either at work or at home and to make sure that you have the appropriate eye protection to hand before you begin a project. 

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical or legal professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional if you’re seeking medical advice, or alternatively a lawyer if you’re seeking advice on medical negligence. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.