Tips for Kitchen Eye Safety
Did you know that
the kitchen can be a source of many common eye hazards? Preparing healthy,
nutritious and delicious meals for family and friends is mainstay of American
life! But, based on what we see and hear from patients, preparing those meals
can be hazardous and requires a few tips and safety strategies to make them the
most enjoyable. As is ALWAYS the case with eye injuries, Prevention is the Best
Strategy!
Hot Grease & Splatter
When frying,
sautéing or using oil use caution and consider “cooking glasses” as a means of
protection. Hot cooking oil and grease can easily splash onto the eye and burn
your cornea. This fairly common injury can be avoided by
wearing glasses or, at the very least, using a grease shield or lid on the
pan. If hot grease splashes in your eye, immediately flush it with plenty
of water. This will remove the grease and any particles. Don't use anti-redness
drops to rinse your eye. Artificial tears may soothe your eyes after a small
grease splash but see your eye doctor as soon as possible if there is obvious injury, excessive pain,
continuing symptoms or you're worried about your eye. You may be more
susceptible to eye infections or other eye injuries while your eye is healing.
Bubbling Sauces & Splashes
Watch out for
bubbling sauces and splashing liquids. Any liquid that splashes in your eye can
be uncomfortable. But food liquids may be especially dangerous because they are
often acidic and can cause your eyes to tear up and sting. Some foods, like raw chicken liquid, contain bacteria
that could cause an eye infection. Simmering sauces can splash
out of the pot and burn or blister your eye. If this happens, flush your eye
with plenty of water. See an eye doctor right away if you see any damage
to your eye or if any of your symptoms continue.
Spicy Residues
When you chop
jalapeño peppers or use other spicy ingredients, your fingers retain oily
residues that can end up in your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly after
preparing food. Or better yet, wear gloves while chopping vegetables and
working with spices. If pepper or spice oils end up in your eye, flush with
plenty of water and then wash your eyelids and the area around your eye with
baby shampoo. Never put any soap directly in your eye.
Raw Meat
Raw meat
is not a safe or effective treatment for black eyes. In cartoons and old
movies, people often put a raw steak on a black eye. This is not safe. The
bacteria on raw meat can cause a serious eye infection. Other packaged frozen
foods, like bagged frozen vegetables, could be contaminated by bacteria in your
freezer or kitchen. It's safer to use an ice pack or ice cubes wrapped in a
clean towel. Please call us if you develop any serious symptoms after
getting a black eye, particularly redness, pain, flashes of light or
floaters-and especially if you experience continued blurred vision!
Prevention of
kitchen eye injury is a great strategy for enjoying cooking. Use protective
eyewear and caution to avoid any risks. If you experience and type of eye
injury or irritation please feel free to call us and an eye doctor will be
happy to see you. Please call us at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at
219-464-8223, or visit Northwest
Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook.
Northwest Indiana Eye &
Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana
46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.
