(NewsUSA) - For many people, working in the yard or in a home garden is relaxing and enjoyable. Studies have even shown that spending time in the outdoors and among nature will greatly reduce stress. So, while gardening can be a great way to unwind and stay healthy, regardless of whether you’re a weekend gardener or grow for show, it is important to remember to protect your eyes when working outdoors.
Each year, power lawn trimmers alone cause more than 1,500 eye injuries. Additionally, tree or bush branches can cause painful scratches to the eye, which may result in infection. Burns or eye irritations caused by fertilizers and weed killers are also a concern. As a result, The American Optometric Association offers these tips to help prevent eye injuries in your garden:
* Get 180-degree protection. Wear wrap-around safety goggles made of polycarbonate - the strongest lens material available. They can be found in hardware and department stores and should have a label stating the goggles meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standard.
* Status quo is a no-go. Don’t rely on ordinary prescription glasses for eye safety. Although they are impact-resistant, they are not intended to be used as safety eyewear. In addition, chemical or spray dust can get around them easily.
* Block the rays.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of light. Lenses should be perfectly matched in color and absorption, free of distortion and imperfection and gray for proper color recognition.
* Be sure you’re covered. Cover the sharp tips of bamboo or metal stakes, which are often used for tomato or climbing plants, with plastic wire nuts to prevent an accidental puncture wound.
* Keep an eye on your health. Remember to have regular eye examinations from a doctor of optometry. Good vision is needed to read instructions on seed packages, fertilizer bags, weed killer bottles and for spotting those pesky weeds! For more information, visit www.aoa.org.
Each year, power lawn trimmers alone cause more than 1,500 eye injuries. Additionally, tree or bush branches can cause painful scratches to the eye, which may result in infection. Burns or eye irritations caused by fertilizers and weed killers are also a concern. As a result, The American Optometric Association offers these tips to help prevent eye injuries in your garden:
* Get 180-degree protection. Wear wrap-around safety goggles made of polycarbonate - the strongest lens material available. They can be found in hardware and department stores and should have a label stating the goggles meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standard.
* Status quo is a no-go. Don’t rely on ordinary prescription glasses for eye safety. Although they are impact-resistant, they are not intended to be used as safety eyewear. In addition, chemical or spray dust can get around them easily.
* Block the rays.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of light. Lenses should be perfectly matched in color and absorption, free of distortion and imperfection and gray for proper color recognition.
* Be sure you’re covered. Cover the sharp tips of bamboo or metal stakes, which are often used for tomato or climbing plants, with plastic wire nuts to prevent an accidental puncture wound.
* Keep an eye on your health. Remember to have regular eye examinations from a doctor of optometry. Good vision is needed to read instructions on seed packages, fertilizer bags, weed killer bottles and for spotting those pesky weeds! For more information, visit www.aoa.org.