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May 09, 2023

Protect your eyes from the dangers of farming

Your eyesight is one of your most valuable tools when it comes to farming, but

Your eyesight is one of your most valuable tools when it comes to farming, but this profession poses many dangers to the eyes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that farmers sustain eye injuries in a variety of ways, including cutting metal, welding, drilling, working with animals, moving grain, haying, and exposure to chemicals.

In many cases, foreign objects are lodged in the eye. If sand, dirt, or similar natural particles get in the eye, chances are good the eyes can remove them with natural tears. Man-made materials like metal, glass, and cement can be more serious.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers these quick first aid tips:

While not every injury can be prevented, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says 90% of eye injuries could be avoided by wearing the proper eye protection.

The Upper Midwest Agricultural and Safety Health Center (UMASH) offers this eye safety checklist:

The American Academy of Ophthamology suggests seeing an eye doctor or medical doctor any time the eye is injured, even if it doesn't seem serious at first. Some injuries like raised eye pressure and detached retinas aren't necessarily obvious until the situation becomes serious.