|
|
Contact lens wearers who wear cosmetics on a daily basis may be especially vulnerable to eye problems. Misuse of products and adverse reactions to ingredients used in cosmetic formulas cause lens deposits, eye irritation, allergy, dryness, injury and infection. Knowing which products to use and how to use them is important for long-term, problem-free contact lens wear.
Before handling lenses, wash your hands with a mild soap such as Neutrogena, Ivory or a clear glycerin soap. Or, use one of the specialty soaps for contact lens wearers such as AOSoap or Optisoap. Avoid soaps containing cream, deodorant, antiseptics, or heavy fragrances.
Contact lenses should be inserted before any cosmetics are applied to prevent contaminating the lens by makeup and disrupting makeup by tears. Mascara should be used sparingly and only on the outer half of the lashes. Besides being a potential irritant, mascara is frequently a source of infection. Even with the best of care, mascara and eyeliner should be replaced every three months. Use a light touch with eyeliners and shadows, as they may cause blepharitis, an infection of the eyelid that can lead to styes and chalazion. Don't use eye liner pencils inside the lower eyelid. Color pigments can cause irritation, damage contact lenses, or lodge underneath the contact lens and scratch the cornea.
Prevent contamination of your makeup by keeping it dry and avoiding contact with fingers. Keep applicators clean and replace them after approximately three months. Hair spray, deodorant, cologne, mousse, nail polish and nail polish remover should be used before inserting your lenses. If one of these products gets into your eye it can cause permanent damage to the contact lens surface. If you must use hair spray while wearing contacts, close your eyes tightly while spraying and then leave the area quickly. Aerosol mist lingers in the air for some time after spraying.
Never wear contacts when using hair dyes, permanent wave lotions, or medicated shampoos.
Use cosmetics labeled "hypoallergenic," "for contact lens wearers," or "for sensitive eyes." Approximately one in ten women have either a respiratory or skin allergy to perfume. Hypoallergenic brands are designed be free of irritants such as perfumes and lanolin. Lanolin may be used in cosmetics and soaps and is one of the most common allergens, causing redness, itching, and blotchy skin spots.
Wash your hands and remove contact lenses before removing make-up. Your fingers are less likely to be contaminated by pigments, creams and oils from cosmetic products when the lenses are removed first.
|
|
|
Eye injuries at work are common. Every year about 70,000 workers injure their eyes. Luckily, 90 percent of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides regulations which employers and employees must follow. OSHA reports that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of their accident. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides these standards of eye protection for any workplace task.
Unprotected workers will not knowingly be subjected to environmental hazards.
Protective eyewear is required whenever there is a reasonable probability eye injury may occur.
Employers must provide the type of eye protection best suited to the task to be performed.
Employees are required to use the eye protectors provided.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that eye injuries in the workplace cost over $467 million annually. A written eye safety program should be implemented in the workplace to help prevent workplace eye injuries. Employers should consider these tips in developing their safety plan:
Determine potential of eye injury for the tasks performed.
Decide how best to protect against the injury, e.g., dark lenses for welding, face-shield for flying objects, tight seal for chemical spills, etc.
Identify the visual needs of the job, e.g., magnification, dark lenses, etc.
Post rules requiring when and how eye protection should be used.
Provide adequate supplies of eye protection and have them readily available at the work site.
Instruct employees on appropriate treatment if injury should occur.
Require vision screening for new employees to determine any eye disease. |
|
Complaints of eye discomfort and fatigue are becoming more common as use of video display terminals (VDTs) increases. While it is true that VDTs can cause eyestrain, there is no convincing evidence that VDTs can harm the eyes.
Some people fear VDTs emit damaging ultraviolet light or radiation. The amount of ultraviolet light emitted by VDTs is a fraction of what is emitted from a fluorescent light. Radiation levels from VDTs are so low a lifetime of exposure will not damage the eyes. After prolonged use of a VDT, black and white objects may appear colored, but this is not a sign of eye damage.
Symptoms of eyestrain are eye irritation (red, watery or dry eyes), eye fatigue (tired, aching heaviness of the eyelids or forehead), difficulty in focusing, and headaches. However, eyestrain does not result in permanent eye damage.
Eyestrain, backache and muscle spasms may improve with proper arrangement of the VDT and seating area. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides helpful suggestions on workstation arrangement.
It is important to wear appropriate glasses adjusted for the distance from the VDT. Most VDT users prefer to position the screen farther from where they normally read. Prescription glasses should be adjusted accordingly.
Take periodic rest breaks. Using a VDT requires an unchanging body, head, and eye position that can be fatiguing. Lubricate the eyes by blinking frequently or using artificial tears (lubricating eye drops.) Keep workstation clean to minimize eye irritation from dust.
Minimize light glare by adjusting office lights or using hoods or filters on the video screen. Standard office lighting is too bright for comfortable VDT use.
|
|
|
Ophthalmologists are cautioning patients about visual side effects caused by Viagra, an oral therapy for impotence. Viagra relaxes smooth muscles in the penis by interfering with the action of a special enzyme. A nearly identical enzyme in the retina, the layer of light-sensitive cells lining the back of the eye, may also be affected by Viagra, causing a mild disturbance of color vision in approximately 3% of people taking a higher than recommended dose.
Because of this unusual side effect, doctors recommend people with retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited disease affecting the retina) use Viagra with caution. People with other retinal problems should discuss their condition with their ophthalmologist before taking Viagra.
Until more data is available, physicians strongly recommend people stay at the lowest dose possible. Presently 50 mg is the recommended amount.
|
|
Every year, hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 40,000 victims of sports eye injuries. All professional and recreational athletes participating in eye-hazardous sports need to wear eye protection. To help prevent sports eye injuries, protective polycarbonate eyewear should be worn whether or not prescription eyewear is needed.
The sports that cause the most eye injuries are basketball, baseball and racket sports, but any sport where something flies at the eye is considered hazardous. Unbreakable glasses, goggles or facemasks are required when there is a potential for eye injury. Polycarbonate lenses are unbreakable and make excellent protection for the eyes.
Helmets with eye shields are recommended for football and other contact sports. Many sports, such as baseball, hockey and men's lacrosse require a helmet with polycarbonate face mask or wire shield. Face guards can be worn over glasses, and are used primarily for football, ice hockey and similar high-risk sports. Some sports at the national level, such as hockey, have established standards for eye protection.
Goggles or sports glasses protect eyes while playing basketball, racquet sports, handball, and soccer. These goggles should be made of polycarbonate, which is 20 times stronger than ordinary eyeglass material. Prescription eyewear used during sports should be made from polycarbonate.
For high-speed sports such as skiing, wear special frames sturdy enough to protect the eyes from any impact. Wear ultraviolet absorbing goggles or sunglasses while skiing to protect the eyes from glare, ultraviolet rays and exposure to weather.
Boxing presents a high risk for eye injury, and unfortunately, there is no adequate protection available.
Contact lenses are not a form of protective eyewear. Contact lens wearers require additional protection when participating in sports.
People with only one eye should carefully consider the risks of contact sports. Wearing adequate eye protection is essential for people with only one eye.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 4 |
Educational Materials 
