As Hurricane Irene looms, take care of your eyes. Many eye injuries happen during storm preparations – from nails ricocheting off storm shutters, to household chemicals splashing into eyes. Officials at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the nation's top-ranked eye hospital, advise that being prepared and alert can prevent most hurricane-related eye injuries.
"Hurricane supplies should include safety glasses, shatter-proof goggles or a face shield for all family members including children, who take part in storm preparation and clean-up," said Dr. Eduardo C. Alfonso, professor and chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
Other Bascom Palmer hurricane eye safety guidelines include:
Reduce Your Risk
- Wear safety eyewear while putting up shutters or plywood – especially when hammering nails into wood or concrete.
- Make sure hammer heads fit snugly.
- If glass breaks during the storm, put on protective eyewear.
- Read directions carefully before using cleaning fluids, chemicals and gases.
- Work in well-ventilated areas, and point spray nozzles away from you and others.
- Insist children wear safety goggles during storm preparation or clean-up.
- Avoid swimming in pools or other water attractions that may have become contaminated from storm water.
Hurricane First Aid Eye Care Tips
- If sand, dust or other particles get in eyes, do not rub. Wash your eye out with purified water.
- Avoid using tap water in your eye after a hurricane, since stagnant water may become contaminated.
- If debris hit the area around the eye, apply cold cloths for 15 minutes to reduce swelling. If swelling persists, go to the doctor as soon as possible.
- If a sharp object like a twig or nail enters your eye, do not pull it out. Put a loose bandage on the eye and do not apply pressure. Go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
- If chemicals, cleaning fluids or gasoline get into your eyes, gently wash the eyes with water for at least 10 minutes. Go to a doctor or emergency room immediately.
Prepare Supplies
- Have enough eye medications, especially for conditions like glaucoma, dry eyes, infections, inflammations, and transplant rejection medication.
- Keep eyeglasses and contact lens supplies where you can easily find them.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the nation, as noted in U.S. News & World Report. Bascom Palmer has also been ranked #1 in patient care and residency training by Ophthalmology Times. As the largest ophthalmic care, research and educational facility in the southeastern U.S., each year Bascom Palmer treats more than 250,000 patients and performs more than 12,000 surgeries. Founded in 1962, Bascom Palmer has patient care facilities in Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, and Plantation, Florida. For information visit bascompalmer.org e-mail bpeicommunications@med.miami.edu.
Contacts:
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Marla Bercuson, 305-326-6190
mbercuson@med.miami.edu