Preventing eye injuries--the nurse's role.

Federal estimates report that approximately 2 1/2-3 million people each year are affected by eye injuries and approximately 40,000 of those individuals are permanently blinded as a result of that trauma. The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness believes that 90% of those injuries could be prevented through proper education and recognition of the potential hazards. This presentation will focus on the specific preventive actions that can be taken to decrease the incidence of ocular trauma. Also discussed will be the significant role the ophthalmic registered nurse can play in the prevention of ocular trauma through education of colleagues and community members.