Eye Injury Awareness

July is eye injury awareness month which makes this the perfect time to remind everyone about the dangers of fireworks and the injuries they can cause. Thousands of revelers will suffer eye injuries from fireworks mishaps during the four-week span around July 4th.  Fireworks can cause permanent eye damage as result of burns, corneal abrasions, ruptures, and retinal detachment, and according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 14% of all firework injures reported in 2017 were eyes related injuries.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, if an eye injury from fireworks occurs:

  • Seek medical attention immediately.

  • Treat only the most minor eye injuries at home. 

  • Do not rub your eyes.

  • Do not rinse your eyes.

  • Do not apply pressure.

  • Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.

  • Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Injury statistics from 2017 Fireworks Annual Report: Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department-Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2017:

  • There were 8 fatalities and 12,900 Injuries related to firework accidents.

  • Approximately 8,700 of the fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms during the two weeks prior to and after July fourth. 

  • An estimated 1,200 of those emergency room visits were associated with sparklers.

  • 70% of those with fireworks-related injuries were male.

  • Children under 15 years of age accounted for more than a third of the firework related injuries.

Home Health offers care for the visually impaired. Common conditions other than injury that cause permanent vision loss include age related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic related eye disease.

Spread the word through your social media posts about celebrating safely throughout the summer. Include tips on sun safety, fireworks safety, and the importance of staying hydrated.

Visit tagwebstore.com for patient information on vision health and other conditions commonly treated by home health and hospice caregivers.

Understanding Diabetic Eye Diseases

Diabetes is a serious disease that occurs when the body can not properly process glucose causing an increased amount of sugar in the blood. High blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body and contribute to diseases such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and diabetic eye disease.

Diabetic eye disease refers to a number of eye disorders that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract, and glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common of these disorders and the leading cause of vision loss among adults 15 – 64. This disease occurs when damaged blood vessels inside the retina leak and impede vision. Early detection and treatment are essential in preventing permanent vision loss. Symptoms to watch for include blurry vision, floaters, poor peripheral vision, and eye pain.

Those suffering from diabetic retinopathy can eventually develop fluid build-up in the macula from the leaking blood vessels. This condition is called diabetic macula edema. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for sharp forward vison. Over time this disease can lead to partial vision loss or blindness.

Diabetic Disease Prevention Tips:

  • Control your diabetes
  • Have regular eye exams
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables and foods containing generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Check your blood pressure regularly
  • Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
  • Don’t smoke
  • Wear proper UV rated sun glasses
  • Know your family history

Visit the ADA Diabetes Food Hub for diabetic friendly eating tips and recipes to share with your clients and staff. Consider making some of these dishes to share with your referral partners.

Visit the TAG webstore for all your Home Health and Hospice care marketing essentials. Don’t miss our health care flyers on vision health, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease and other common health issues affecting seniors.