June is fireworks safety and cataract awareness month. It is a great time to learn about steps you can take to preserve your vision and the health of your eyes.
Keep reading to learn more about fireworks safety and cataracts!
What Is Fireworks Safety Month?
Fireworks are a traditional and festive part of July 4th and other celebrations throughout the summer. If you plan to include fireworks in your festivities, it is essential to ensure they are handled safely to avoid serious injuries, including injuries to the eyes.
A significant amount of injuries caused by fireworks are eye injuries. The most common eye injuries occur when shrapnel or debris from fireworks abrade or enter the eyes, damaging the cornea and even the retina.
How Can I Protect My Eyes From Fireworks?
Eye injuries from fireworks can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips. First, it is important to wear protective eyewear when setting off fireworks.
You can purchase polycarbonate safety glasses that will not shatter on impact at local hardware stores or online. Also, be sure never to launch fireworks from a metal or glass container.
These types of containers can shatter and create hazardous debris or shrapnel. You should also maintain a safe distance when using fireworks.
As shrapnel or debris can launch up to one hundred feet from an ignited firework, you can prevent potential eye injury by staying clear of lit fireworks.
It is also important to always have an adult supervise children using any kind of fireworks. Sparklers are especially popular with children but can be a source of eye injury if not used with proper supervision.
When handled safely and correctly, fireworks can be a fun part of the Fourth of July celebrations. You can prevent potentially serious eye injuries from fireworks by strictly following the firework manufacturer’s instructions and taking simple safety precautions!
What Is Cataract Awareness Month?
June is Cataract Awareness Month and an excellent time to learn about the signs and effects of this eye condition. Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes blurry or cloudy vision.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens that negatively affects a person’s vision. It is the leading cause of partial vision loss in the United States as well as the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Common symptoms of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision. Many people also experience glare around light sources, like the bright light from oncoming car headlights.
Who Is At Risk For Developing Cataracts?
While anyone can develop cataracts at any age due to various factors, they commonly occur in older adults as the eye’s natural lens clouds over time. As you age, your risk of developing a cataract will heighten.
Previous eye injuries or surgeries may put you at a higher risk of developing cataracts early in life. Additionally, if you have certain medical conditions like diabetes or if you smoke, you may develop cataracts earlier in life.
What Can You Do to Prevent Cataracts?
Regular eye exams are an important part of diagnosing early signs of cataracts. There is no way to prevent cataracts from forming completely, as they are part of the natural aging process.
However, learning if you have a family history of cataracts, quitting smoking, and wearing UV light-blocking sunglasses can help you lessen your risk of developing cataracts early in life.
How Do You Treat Cataracts?
If you develop cataracts, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. Advances in cataract surgery technology have made it an easy, safe outpatient procedure with short recovery times.
While it may seem as if developing cataracts is unavoidable, awareness of your risk factors, taking preventing measures, and knowing your treatment options can help you better understand and manage this condition.
Are you beginning to experience the symptoms of cataracts or interested in learning more about how to protect your eyes around fireworks? Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center in Las Vegas, NV, today!
