January 30, 2004

By: Abu Soomo
Website: http://www.1st-in-sunglasses.com

The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians Supports Burn Awareness Month

February has been marked National Burn Awareness Month, and the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians is highlighting protective measures individuals should take to minimize and prevent burns from affecting your vision.

There are two main causes of eye burns; those caused by the improper use of chemicals and those caused by the sun's UV rays, said Troy Smith, O.D. and president of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians.

Chemical burns of the eye are a medical emergency. Caustic chemicals used for cleaning, painting or polishing cause a significant number of eye injuries every year. Types of chemicals that can cause burns are acid, alcohol, ammonia, bleach, cleaning products, hair dyes and furniture oils. If burns occur from these chemicals, permanent damage to the eye can occur in one to five minutes.

Typical symptoms of a chemical eye burn are redness, swelling of the eye and blurred vision. If a chemical gets in your eyes, take the following steps:

Flush with water immediately and continue to do so with running water for at least 15 minutes. For alkaline burns, irrigate eyes for 30 minutes.

After washing thoroughly, close the eyelid and cover with a loose, moist dressing.

Seek medical help from an optometrist.

Misusing chemicals can permanently damage a person's sight, said Dr. Smith.

Individuals should take extra precaution when using dangerous household chemicals by wearing wrap-around safety goggles made of polycarbonate.

To treat a chemical burn, your optometrist may give you a topical medication. However, do not attempt to treat with medication before consulting an optometrist. Often times, over-the-counter eye medications may make the condition worse.

While chemical burns usually cause an immediate burning sensation to the eye, UV burns are normally subtler. After overexposure to the sun, eyes may look bloodshot and feel tired and strained. Still, immediate examination by an optometrist is needed.

People tend to forget the harmful affects of UV rays in colder months, but these rays can cause adverse affects during any time of year, said Dr. Smith.

If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time any season the sun is shining, wear sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of the sun's UV-A and UV-B ultraviolet radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of light. Exposure to even small amounts of UV rays over the course of many years may contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye health problems.

Again, look for sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses, which are the most impact-resistant lenses available today, said Dr. Smith.

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