Your Eyes: Proper Protection = Eye Injury Prevention

Dr. Tanya Flood, OD, MScFYidoctors, BCDO, EyeSafe

Phil Trickett - EyeSafe

• Good Afternoon!• BC Doctors of Optometry and your local FYidoctors

• Who we are and what we do

• Why have your eyes checked

• WorkSafe BC Statistics, Eye Injuries and Prevention• Prevention of Eye Disease and Eye Injury• Eye Protection Requirements - EyeSafe Program• Quiz Time!

Your Eyes: Proper Protection = Eye Injury Prevention

Some questions for you…

• BC Doctors of Optometry – 800 Doctors • Comprehensive Eye Examinations including retinal imaging• Binocular Vision, eye teaming and coordination• Medical Eye Care – Foreign body removal, Glaucoma treatment• Surgical Eye Care – Laser and Cataract pre and post operative• Low Vision and CNIB services• Eyewear – Glasses, Sunglasses, Contact Lenses, Safety eyewear,

Activity or Sport specific eyewear (Shooting, hunting, sewing, computer, etc), Repairs, Soldering

• Free Eyewear Adjustments and Cleaning

Transforming the way you see the world!

• Serving the North Island for the past 70 years

• 8 Doctors of Optometry, 1 Ophthalmologist, 3 locations

People Value Eyesight

• Studies by CNIB, The Canadian Council for Vision and the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of a found:

• Both Canadians and Americans regard loss of eyesight as the worst ailment that could happen to them

• Surpassing loss of limb, memory, hearing or speech, or having cancer or H.I.V./AIDS.

Have Your Eyes

Checked

Why Have Your Eyes Checked?

• Your Eyes…What could be more important?• “Arms to short”, “need new glasses”• 80% of our day involves our eyes and vision• 1 in 7 people who think their eyes are fine actually have

the start of significant eye disease • 5.5 million have major eye disease

• Accurate determination of spectacle and contact lens prescriptions• Detection of refractive, visual and eye muscle conditions• Detection and prevention of eye disease• Detection and prevention of complications secondary to systemic disease

Vision Loss (Impairment)

• 50,000 Canadians every year• People with severe vision loss or blindness:

o By age 40 1 in 28 people

o By age 60 it is 1 in 9 people

o By age 70 it is 1 in 4 people

• 75% of vision loss can be PREVENTED!• 90% of workplace injuries can be PREVENTED!

Common Causes of Vision Loss

and Impairment

Common Causes of Vision Loss1. Eye Diseases and Conditions

• Glaucoma• Macular degeneration• Diabetic Retinopathy• Retinal Disease/Conditions • Cataract

2. Congenital or Childhood Blindness3. Trauma, Injury, Accidents

Workplace Statistics

Men account for 68% of injuries

Women account for 32% of

injuries

Workers under 24 years

account for 13%

Workers over 55 years account

for 21%

Average age for a eye accident

42 years

WorkSafeBC Statistics

Three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection a the

time of the accident

70% of eye injuries result from flying or falling objects or sparks striking the eye

Contact with chemicals caused 20% of the eye injuries reported in the work

place

66% of all eye injuries occur outside the workplace

It is estimated that nearly 60% of objects striking the eye were smaller than a pin

head

40% of all objects striking the eye were from around the frame front

90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable by wearing the

correct fitting eyewear

Having a safety eyewear program mitigates potential workplace injuries that

can result in significant costs in both human and financial resources

Most Common Eye Injuries• Blunt Injuries

o External

o Penetrating

• Foreign Bodies, Cuts & Abrasionso Sterile

o Organic

• Chemicalo Gas

o Liquid

o Solid

• Radiationo Welders Flash

o Lasers

o UV light

Why don’t employee’s wear safety glasses?

• Too Expensive• Company policies only

suggest eyewear• Self employed /

contractor• Employee don’t find it

necessary to wear eye protection

• Eyewear doesn’t fit• Eyewear uncomfortable• They look ridiculous

How can we help stop these statistics

Introduce an Occupational Health and

Safety Regulation

Introduce a Safety Standard for all Eyewear

Education

WorkSafeBC & CSA

Enhancing a Health & Safety Culture

WorkSafeBC administers the Workers Compensation Act for the British Columbia Ministry of Labour. WorkSafeBC has the

legal authority to set and enforce occupational health and safety

standards

For Safety Eyewear the Standard is 8.14 (June 3rd2019)Which states all eyewear must

meet CSA Z94.3-15

Canadian Standards Association

CSA Group publishes standards in print and electronic form and provides training and advisory

services

For safety spectacles that standard isZ94.3 Eye &Face Protection

(US Version ANSI Z87)

This is follow by the year of issue

BC is currently compliant to Z94.3-2015

These are the requirementsA worker must wear eye protection if the worker is in an area where one or more hazards involving the

eye exists

The eye protection must fit properly and provide appropriate protection from eye hazards

The eye protection must meet the requirements set out in the following standards

CSA Z94.3 or ANSI Z87

Prevention of Eye Disease

and Eye Injury

Prevention

• Regular eye examinations• Proper diet (possibly supplements)• No smoking• UV and HEV Protection

• Protective Eyewear

Have your eyes checked

regularly –eye exams

When should you get your eyes checked?

If you notice changes in your vision, blur, double vision, strain, discomfort, flashes, floaters…

Eye Examination Frequency

• Children: every year

• Ages 19-64: every one to two years

• Over 65 or have an eye condition: every year

Know Who to See

Optometrists• 8 years of university training

• Primary Care

• Comprehensive eyecare

Opticians • 1-2 years or college and/or

correspondence

• Frame and Lens Specialists

Ophthalmologists• 12 years of university training• Comprehensive eyecare• Medio-surgical care

Optometric/Ophthalmic assistants• 1-2 years of correspondence• Frame and Lens Specialists• Testing specialists

When to see OD vs. OMD/Hospital• Blood, Bone

• Penetrating FB

• Chemical Burn

• Foreign Body

• Abrasion/Irritation

• Welding/Exposure Burn

• Post-Concussion

• Eye Exams

Proper Diet and Nutrition

Prevention - Nutrition

• Eat your veggies!o Dark leafy greens

o Colourful fruits and vegetables

• Antioxidants and Trace Minerals

• Lutein and Zeaxanthin

• Omega 3

Prevention - NutritionAREDS I & II Research

• Vitamin A (Beta carotene)

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Zinc

• Omega oils - omega 3

• Selenium

• Copper

• Lutein

• Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin

No Smoking, Vaping or Marijuana

Prevention - Smoking

No Smoking, Vaping or Marijuana!• Directly damages retinal nutrient layer

• Causes oxidative damage to the retina

• Direct cause of macular degeneration and cataract

UV and HEV Protection

Visible Light - The amount of light the human eye can take in without harm

SunlightWhy we need sunscreen and UV protection sunglasses

Prevention - UV ProtectionWear sunglasses!

• Even on hazy days!

• Coverage at the side

• Coverage at the top

• Reddish/Brown - contrast

• Gray - no colour interference

• Polarized – yes or no?

UV damage Conditions• Macular degeneration

• Exposure keratitis

• Pinguecula

• Pterygium

• Cataracts

LCD and LED back lit screens

Computer & Screen

Use

Night Time Screen Use• Affect on Melatonin Release

• Stop 1-2 hours before going to bed

• Wear blue blocking lenses

• Apply Apps, Settings and Programs on each device:o Night Shift – Apple

o Twilight – Android

o F.lux - Program

Safety Eyewear

Protection & Prevention Eyewear

Industrial Safety Eyewear

Wear at home & Work

Properly Fitted

Side Protection

Blue Light Protection

Sunglasses

ExaminationsUncorrected eyesight

Poorly corrected eyesight

Job Appropriate

Binocular Vision Assessment

Eye Health Evaluations

Not Just a Sight Test

Provide impact resistance qualities from projectiles

Provide side protection from foreign bodies

Provide protection from dust

Provide protection from chemicals

Provide protection form nature

Provide protection against electric charges

Provide protection from technology

What’s so special about Prescription safety eyewear lenses

Drop Ball Tester

Impact Resistance TestSteel ball dropped from

50 inches

For Dress Eyewear ½ inch

For Safety Eyewear 7/8 inch (46g)

Types of Lens Material•Best Optically•Cheapest•Least impact resistant (3.0mm Minimum Thickness)•Need to add UV Blocker

Plastic

•Strongest Impact resistance•Natural UV Blocker•Thinnest lens (2.0mm Minimum Thickness)•Worst optically

Polycarbonate

•Lightest Lens•Stronger than plastic, less than Polycarbonate (2.5mm Minimum) •Better optics than Polycarbonate not as good as plastic•Natural UV Blocker

Trivex / Pheonix

CSA Table 5 Z94.3-15

The following combination of spectacle lens material, surface

treatments and minimum thicknesses meet the impact resistance requirements for

prescription lenses.

For lens retention adherence to this standard, no lens material shall be tested below the 2.0

minimum.

The bevel apex of the lens has to be equidistant and to a depth of

0.8mm

Material Hard Coat 1 Side Hard Coat 2 Sides Scratch / Anti Reflection

Tint Solid / Gradient

Glass N/A N/A N/A N/A

CR39 3.0 3.0 N/A 3.0

Polycarbonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

Trivex / Pheonix

2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Photochromic

Glass N/A N/A N/A N/A

CR39 3.0 3.0 N/A 3.0

Polycarbonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

Polarized

Glass N/A N/A N/A N/A

CR39 3.0 3.0 N/A 3.0

Polycarbonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

SAFETY FRAME SPECIFICATIONS

Eye and Face protectors are classified as Z94.3

SpectaclesGoggles

Welding HelmetsWelding hand shields

HoodsFace Shields

Respirator Facepieces

For prescription eyewear we will concentrate on

Spectacles and goggles

Frame Features

Eye and Face ProtectorsCSA Z94.3 Minimal Frontal Coverage Total coverage includes lens, eye wire rim

and lateral protection lip to the outside edge of the frame

1

Minimum horizontal

frontal coverage

40mm

2

Minimum vertical frontal

coverage

33mm

Minimum Side Shield Protection

16mm

16mm

20mm

10mm

7mm

How do I know my Glasses

are Safety Compliant

The frame must bear Z94.3 or Z87 on both Temples

The frame must also bear the logo usually on the back of the bridge

The lenses must also bear the manufacturing lab’s safety logo etched into the top temporal

corner of each lens.

Most manufactures also mark their side shields if they are detectable but this is not necessary

What is EyesafeProvides Prescription Safety Eyewear to companies in BC

Non Profit organization

Cost effective safety eyewear program for companies

Over 800 Doctors in 85 communities across BC

Providing expert Eyecare

Glasses compliant to Provincial / National standards

Employee Ordering Procedure

Find an OptometristLooking for prescription safety glasses, eye wear accessories

and services? Find a participating optometrist here.

Online Ordering Portal via our website

Sample CriteriaSheet #1

CRITERIA SHEET

123 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, VK3 3W8

Member Est. Date: Est: Oct 1st 1991, Revised 6th March 2019

Exam: Employee is responsible for the eye exam. Contribution Limit: The company will cover the cost of Prescription safety glasses 100% to the levels

described below. Any item that indicates “EMPLOYEE PAYS” will be collected by Eyesafe admin before the safety glasses are ordered. The dispensing staff are responsible to collect the credit card information.

Optometrists: All those on the participating list found at www.eyesafebc.ca under “Find an Eyesafe Doctor of Optometry”.

Optical Lab: Optometrist may choose any BCAO approved lab.

Safety Frames: All BCAO approved frames. Maximum Contribution $40.00

Side Shields: MANDATORY, must be permanently affixed.

Lens Materials

Plastic Allowed.

Polycarbonate Allowed

Trivex / Phoenix Allowed

Glass NOT ALLOWED

Non-Prescription Lenses NOT ALLOWED

Len Treatments:

Anti-Scratch Coating Allowed

Ultra Violet Coating Allowed.

Anti-Reflective Coating Allowed

Blue Light Filter Allowed (Employee Pays)

Tint NOT ALLOWED. (Unless medically necessary)

Photochromatic Allowed (Employee Pays)

Polarized NOT ALLOWED

Progressive Allowed, if regular dress eyewear is the same.

Safety Case MANDATORY

Special Circumstances Any items NOT ALLOWED need supervisor authorization or Employee pays at the time of dispensing. Any items not listed need both supervisor and EyeSafe Admin authorization.

COMPANY NAME

New Technologies

In Lenses

New Technology Lenses• Internal Freeform Lenses and ITerminal

• Old progressive technology vs. New progressive technology

• Enhanced Reader and Antifatigue

• Anti-Reflective and High Definition Coatings

• Blue (HEV) Blocking Lenses

• Sunglasses – Polarized at an angle

Anti-reflective and High Definition coatings Blue coating

Dry Eye & Irritated Eyes

Irritated Eye Conditions• Dry eye syndrome

• Blepharitis and Meibomianitis

• Acne Rosacea

• Tear drainage problems and excess tearing

• Keratitis and Corneal dystrophy

• Allergic eye disease

• Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain

Dry Eye Syndrome

Not enough:

• Watery tear

• Mucus tear

• Thick/oily tear

Dry Eye Work-up

Dry Eye SyndromeLid hygiene

• Warm compresses and Lid scrubs

Lubricants

• Artificial tears/ointments/gels

Nutrition

• Water

• Antioxidants

• Omega 3

• 2000mg/day

Environment

Increase humidity

Treatment

•Lotemax/Restasis

•Combination

SYSTANE® COMPLETE meets the needs of all types of dry eyes

Common Eye

Diseases & Conditions

The Eye

The Eye

Common Eye Disease

CataractsGlaucoma

Macular DegenerationRetinal Disease and Conditions

CataractsLeading treatable cause of vision loss in Canada

Cataracts

Cataracts

Treatment• Cataract surgery

• YAG laser capsulotomy

Prevention• UV protection

• No smoking

• Proper diet

• Regular eye examinations

Glaucoma• #1 cause of blindness worldwide• The “Silent Thief of Sight”

Glaucoma

High Risk Groups• over 60

• family history

• previous eye injury, surgery or disease

• nearsightedness• Ethnic background – African, Hispanic

Glaucoma

• No symptoms until it has caused irreversible damage

• Early Detection is the only prevention• Treatment

o daily eye dropso argon laser trabeculectomy

o filtering surgery

Glaucoma

Macular Degeneration• #1 cause of blindness in NA

• Dry - 95% of cases

• Wet - 5% of cases

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration

High risk groups• over age 50

• smokers

• UV exposure

• women

• light coloured eyes

• family history

• history of eye injury or disease (diabetes)

Macular Degeneration

Macular DegenerationTreatment - medical

• Dry• Can only slow the process, the best

treatment is prevention

• Wet • Photodynamic therapy - Visudyne

• Injections of anti-VEG-F – Lucentis; Avastin, Eylea, Macugen

• Laser

• Treatment if caught early, reduces loss only

Treatment - low vision aids, CNIB consult

• If mild to moderate vision loss, low vision aids can assist in reading

• If severe vision loss...

Prevention• UV and HEV protection

• No smoking

• Proper diet/Possibly supplements

• Regular eye examinations

• Inform family members

Macular Degeneration

Retinal Disease & Conditions

Systemic Disease &

Medications

Common Systemic Disease

Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Thyroid Disease,

Autoimmune Disorders, Lupus, Arthritis, Tumours, Skin Cancer, Aneurysms,

Multiple Sclerosis and more…

Systemic Disease

Diabetic Retinopathy#2 cause of blindness in NA

Diabetic Retinopathy

• Treatable if detected early

• 52 % of diabetic are not going for regular (every year) eye exams

• Prevention

o Stable blood sugar levels

o Taking prescribed medication as instructed

o Proper diet and exercise

o Regular eye examinations

Diabetic Retinopathy

Quiz Time!

Quiz Time!1. If you see fine, do you still need to get your eyes

checked?

2. What is the best prevention of eye disease?a) Eat your veggies

b) Wear your sunglasses

c) Don’t smoke

d) Go for Regular eye examinations

e) All of the above J

Quiz Time!3. Name some vegetables, which help in the

prevention of eye disease?

4. Name 2 types of glasses you should wear to prevent damage to your eyes?

Quiz Time!

5. What is the 20-20-20 Rule?

6. What can you do to help protect the eyes of your employees and/or team members?