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LAWN AND GARDEN: AVOID TRIMMER TROUBLE BY USING EYE PROTECTION

Lawnmower

LAWN AND GARDEN: AVOID TRIMMER TROUBLE

BY USING EYE PROTECTION

 

When it comes to landscaping, nothing puts the finishing touches on a tidy garden or yard like a power lawn trimmer. Trimmers are the second most popular lawn implement, behind the lawn mower, with gardeners and homeowners.

Unfortunately, these nylon lawn trimmers are now the fifth leading cause of penetrating eye injuries. Each year, trimmers alone cause more than 1,500 eye injuries. Operating at speeds up to 8500 revolutions per minute, these trimmers spin off tiny fragments of the nylon line, which can enter the eye along with dirt and grass debris. The result: corneal lacerations and fungal infections severe enough to threaten sight.

But trimmers aren't the only danger when working in the garden or yard. Small stones from a lawn mower's blade can also cause a devastating eye injury. In addition, tree or bush branches can cause painful scratches to the eye. And, dust from fertilizers and weed killers can cause burns or eye irritations.

We offer this advice to help prevent eye injuries in the home garden environment:

If an eye injury occurs, apply these emergency care procedures and then seek treatment immediately at our office, or if after hours, at a hospital emergency room.

Last but not least, remember to have an eye examination every year. Good vision is needed to read instructions on seed packages, fertilizer bags and weed killer bottles, and for spotting those pesky weeds.

Author
Dennis Garcia Dr. Dennis Garcia

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