This July, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is working to share resources to help adults understand the importance of eye injury prevention and just how common accidental eye injuries can be.
“Most people think that eye injuries occur only in industries like construction or landscaping, but the truth is, nearly half of all eye injuries occur right at home,” said Darby D. Miller, MD, MPH, President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and Board of Trustee Member for the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. “With more and more Floridians staying at home this summer, we are working to bring awareness this month to the prevention of eye injuries and ensuring Floridians have the resources they need to stay safe on the job, at home, and during times of leisure.”
Summer months are full of moments that are ripe for eye injuries— from lawn maintenance and house improvements to tasks such as cleaning and cooking. In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 90 percent of eye injuries can be avoided by simply using the correct protective eye gear, but only about three out of 10 people wear protective eye gear at home.
FSO will launch an information campaign this month that will share best resources on how Floridians can prepare themselves this summer from accidental eye injuries. For more information on how you can protect your eyes, visit www.MDEye.org/PreventingEyeInjuries. Graphics to share can be found on Twitter at @EyeOnFL and on Facebook at @FloridaOphthalmology.
About the Florida Society of Ophthalmology
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology is the state’s leading advocate for providing Floridians the highest standard of eye care. The FSO’s mission is to promote and protect the medical specialty of ophthalmology through active participation in legislative advocacy and providing continuing medical education and responsible information to its members, physicians, and the citizens of Florida. Please visit www.mdeye.org for more information.
