Home improvements increase the beauty and function of your space. Whether you’re planning to install cabinets or open up the floor plan, it’s important to wear the proper protective gear. Your eyes, in particular, are vulnerable to sawdust, chemicals, and shrapnel, which is why optometrists recommend protecting them. Below, you’ll learn more about how to keep your eyes safe during your project. 

4 Ways to Protect Your Eyes During Home Improvements

1. Safety Goggles & Glasses 

Your regular prescription glasses aren’t enough to completely protect your eyes while working on your home. Wear safety glasses or goggles with polycarbonate lenses that resist impact and scratching while wrapping around your eyes to provide full coverage. Make sure the lenses have ANSI Z87.1 markings, which means they’ve been verified for safety by the American National Standards Institute. 

2. Face Shields 

If you don’t have access to safety glasses or goggles, or you want to supplement your eye protection, wear a face shield. In addition to blocking the eyes from chemicals, dust, and sharp objects, a shield will keep the rest of your face from coming into contact with harmful materials.  

3. First Aid

If chemicals get into your eyes while making home improvements, flush them with water for about 20 to 30 minutes. Doing so will dilute toxic substances so that they have less potential for causing vision damage. If a foreign object enters your eyes, do not attempt to remove it or rub it out of your eyes. Instead, go to the emergency room ASAP.

4. See an Optometrist

After seeking medical attention for eye injuries that occur during home improvements, make an appointment with an optometrist. They’ll perform an eye exam to check for any changes to your vision and alter your prescription as necessary. 

Protect your eyes and maintain your vision with help from the team of Dr. Michael R. Schmit. This optometrist provides eye exams, contact lenses, and designer frames to clients throughout Cincinnati. Call (513) 741-8811 to make an appointment for eye care, and visit the website to learn more about the insurance plans they accept.