4.1.4: Advises on personal eye protection regs & relevant standards

Question 1

What are the standard for protective eyewear

Answer 1

• Protective Eye Wear – all protective eyewear must conform to BS EN 166
  Full records of what has been supplied and for what use they were advised should be
  maintained.
  If working on-site, a contractor must obey any safety requirements
  The complete protector must withstand the impact of a steel ball tested from both
  forward projectiles and from the side therefore assessing lateral protection.

Question 2

What do the following lens markings mean?
1, 2, 3, 3, S, F, B, A, 9, N, K

Answer 2

o 1 – Optical Class Rx +/- 0.06
o 2 – Optical Class Rx +/- 0.12
o 3 – Optical Class Rx + 0.12 (Specs and Goggles Only)
o 3 – Optical Class Rx -0.25 (Specs and Goggles Only)
o S – Increased robustness (toughened or thickened CR39)
o F – Low energy impact (Polycarbonate and Trivex)
o B – Medium energy impact (Goggles and Faceshields Only)
o A – High energy impact (Faceshields Only)
o 9 – Non-adherence of molten metal/ hot solids (Goggles and Faceshields Only)
o N – Resistance to fogging
o K – Resistance to surface damage (damage by fine particles)

Question 3

What do the following frame markings stand for?
F, B, A, G, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9

Answer 3

o F – Low energy impact
o B – Medium energy impact (Goggles and Faceshields Only)
o A – High energy impact (Faceshields Only)
o G - resistant to radiant heat
o 3 – Liquid droplets / splashes (Goggles and Faceshields Only)
o 4 – Large dust particles (Goggles Only)
o 5 – Gas and fine dust particles (Goggles Only)
o 8 – Short circuit electric arc (Faceshields Only)
o 9 – Molten metals / hot solids (Goggles and Faceshields Only)

Question 4

What are the order of markings on protective eyewear?

Answer 4

• Scale Number (filters only)
• Manufacturer’s Mark
• Optical Class (1 (is the best),2 or 3)
• Mechanical Strength (A, B, F, S)
• Fields of Use (9 Molten metal/hot solids)
• Scratch Resistance (K)
• Fogging Resistance (N)
• Radiant Heat
• CE mark

Question 5

What are Optoms and DOs legal responsibilities for protective eyewear?

Answer 5

o Advise the patient that if any repairs or adjustments are required,
they must be sent to the manufacturer and cannot be adjusted in
store.
o Polycarbonate lenses should not come in contact with these
solvents as small scratches in the hardcoating can cause the
chemicals to meet the lens and degrade it:
§ Hydrocarbons: Benzenes
§ Ketones: Acetone
§ Esters: Ethyl Acetate
§ Amines: Butylamine (will attack the hard coating of the
polycarbonate aswell)
§ Commercial Materials: Gasoline & Paint thinner

Question 6

What are employers legal responsibilities for protective eyewear?

Answer 6

o Employers must provide suitable personal protective equipment,
including protective eyewear. However, they are not obliged to pay
for a prescription pair & can provide their employees with overglasses on top of their prescription glasses (Personal Protective
Equipment at Work Regulation 1992).
o Employers can use manufacturer voucher schemes to provide a
prescription pair for their employees if they wish

Question 7

What do following Firefighter and emergency team markings mean?
=, +, (dot with circle round it), T, A, AT, K, N, R, Ω

Answer 7

= General (non-fire fighting) use
+ Fire fighters’ use
(dot with circle round it) Face guard, or eye guard
T Resistance to medium energy impact at extremes of temperature
A Resistance to high energy impact
AT Resistance to high energy impact at extremes of
temperature
K Resistance to abrasion
N Resistance to fogging
R Enhanced infrared reflection
Ω Electrical properties

Question 8

What are common ocular hazards? What does pentrating trauma require? What do different wavelengths of light cause (electromagnetic spectrum)?

Answer 8

• Dirt, Glass, Metal, Inorganic material, Chemicals, blunt force
  Penetrating Trauma: Requires emergency ophthalmology attention – immediate consult by phone.
  Electromagnetic Spectrum:
• UV – (215-400 nm)
• UVA – 315-400 nm can cause retinal damage and lenticular changes
• UVB – 280-315 nm conjunctivitis and photokeratitis
• UVC – 200-400 nm Conjunctivitis and photokeratitis
• IR (750 – 15,000) – Glassblowers Cataract

Question 9

What could corneal FB be?

Answer 9

• Dirt, glass, metal, inorganic material
• Risk of infection
• Can remove under topical anaesthesia on slit lamp if easily accessible

Question 10

Describe a blow out fracture and the signs?

Answer 10

Fracture of the orbital floor or medial wall.
Ball Sports or Punch in the face
Indicators of a Blow Out Fracture:
* Sunken eye
* Trapped EOMs -> Double vision
* Restricted ocular movement (especially in up and down gazes)
* Pain
* Swelling
Urgent Referral to Ophthalmology with an X-Ray or CT scan.

Question 11

What are the signs of blunt trauma?

Answer 11

Can cause a closed or a ruptured globe.
Indicators of Blunt Trauma:
* Hyphema
* Iridodialysis
* Iris Prolapse
* Optic Neuropathy
* Retinal/Choroidal Haemorrhages

Question 12

What are the signs of chemical injury and how do you irrigate the eye?

Answer 12

Requires IMMEDIATE irrigation of the eye
Causes:
* Alkalis: lime, cement, plaster, ammonia
* Acids
* Solvents
* Detergents
* Irritants: mace, pepper
* Super glue
1. Wash out the eye IMMEDIATELY: normal saline or head under a cold water
tap/bucket (eyes open)
2. After 1 litre of irrigation (15-30 mins), review pain levels
3. Instil topical anaesthesia if pain level if high
4. Evert the lid and clear the eye of debris
5. sweep with cotton bud
6. Wait 1 minute, measure pH of tear meniscus (lower lid) – pH 7-8 acceptable
7. Continue irrigation if necessary, repeat pH every 5-10 minutes
8. Admit to hospital

Question 13

What are common sight threatening leisure activities and what are the hazards for each of them?

Answer 13

Gardening:
* Debris in the lawn
* Stones or wood which may fly into the eye
* Low growing branches
* Chemicals
Safety goggles whilst gardening can protect the eyes from damage.
Sport:
* Squash or Tennis – the size and the speed of which the ball travels can cause a
blow-out fracture or blunt trauma to the eye.
There’s also a British standard for eye protection suitable for squash BS7930:1
* Contact sport such as rugby, martial arts or boxing.
* Wearing glasses whilst partaking in sport. May cause injuries such as lid
lacerations or penetrating trauma if broken whilst on the face – px may benefit
from contact lenses instead
DIY:
* Use goggles when sawing, sanding, drilling, hammering or any activity that causes
dust or air particles.
* Fine particles and large particles can enter the eye and cause serious damage.
* use the right tool for the job, as improvising can lead to serious accidents.
* make sure there’s enough light to see task
* wearing glasses normally used to see things clearly.
* Some chemicals should only be used while wearing eye protection to avoid
chemical splash injuries
* aerosols should point away from your face when they are used

Question 14

What are common sight threatening occupations and what cautions need to be taken?

Answer 14

• factory, garage, laboratory, or other industrial place of work.
• machinery that does any kind of pressing or grinding
• chemicals or in a place with lots of dust or particles in the air.
  Cautions to Take:
• Wear the correct eye protection - your employer should provide the correct
  protection for px each job performed.
• Welding should be undertaken using a welding mask. The bright light of a welding
  torch can cause permanent damage to the cornea and the retina.
• People that are watching you work in industrial environments should also wear
  eye protection as if they are doing the task