MCG HEALTH SYSTEM OFFERS TIPS TO PREVENT EYE INJURIES

June 28, 2002

Augusta, GA - Accidental eye injuries are among the leading causes of visual impairment in the United States. Each year, approximately 1 million eye injuries occur, and 90 percent of those injuries are preventable and at least 50 percent occur in the home.

"The three main groups of eye injuries that occur are work related, sports related and common living," according to Dr. Julian Nussbaum, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at MCG. "Failure to wear eye protection is the common reason for eye injuries. The injury determines the type of treatment that should be given, whether surgery or medication," said Dr. Nussbaum.

In recognition that July is National Eye Injury Prevention Month, MCG Health System issues the following tips to help prevent eye injuries:

• Do not rub the eye. If any tissue is torn, rubbing may cause more damage.
• Shield the eye from pressure or rubbing action by taping the eye, shielding the surrounding parts of the eye from harm.
• Avoid giving aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding. Also, the pain associated with an eye injury is often excruciating, and a non-prescription medication may not be very helpful.
• Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye. These medications may not be sterile, and could make the eye area slippery, which could slow the examination.
• Injuries such as cuts, chemical burns or foreign bodies caught in the eye are emergencies. Contact your ophthalmologist or emergency department for help immediately.
• To treat cuts or punctures to the eye, bandage the eye without any pressure and seek emergency care immediately. Do not attempt to wash the eye or remove any object stuck in the eye.
• Even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs after a blow, contact your ophthalmologist or emergency department immediately.
• To treat a blow to the eye until professional help is available, gently apply small cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling. Do not apply any pressure.
  If sand or small debris is in the eye, use an eyewash to flush the eye out. Do not rub the eye. If the debris does not come out, lightly bandage the eye and see an ophthalmologist.

MCG HealthCare is the health system of the Medical College of Georgia and is comprised of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the School of Medicine and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.

For more information, contact:
Deborah Humphrey
Director of Public Relations
MCG Health, Inc.
(706) 721-9177
dhumphrey@mail.mcg.edu