Hospitals record a significant rise in serious eye injuries caused by DIY mishaps during the coronavirus lockdown period
- Oxford Eye Hospital saw significant increase in the number of trauma operations
- The hospital said it usually expects to treat one serious injury every two weeks
- But recently it saw six patients needing attention in just seven days
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Hospitals have recorded a rise in serious eye injuries caused by DIY mishaps during the coronavirus lockdown period.
The Oxford Eye Hospital said it had seen a significant increase in the number of people needing operations as a result of eye trauma since the social distancing rules were enforced.
The hospital usually expects to treat one serious injury every two weeks but recently saw six patients needing attention in just seven days.
The Oxford Eye Hospital said it had seen a significant increase in the number of people needing operations as a result of eye trauma since the social distancing rules were enforced (stock image)
Stella Hornby, a consultant who works at the facility based in John Radcliffe Hospital, said: ‘We’re seeing patients with more serious eye injuries and people have needed operations to repair injuries which could potentially result in sight loss.
‘We think this is because people are locked down and they might be doing more DIY or gardening at home without using eye protection.’
The eye hospital is now urging everyone to wear eye protection while carrying out household jobs.
Stella Hornby, a consultant who works at the facility based in John Radcliffe Hospital (pictured), said: ‘We’re seeing patients with more serious eye injuries and people have needed operations to repair injuries which could potentially result in sight loss’
It also advised locking up detergents and chemicals away from children – particularly those which could cause irritation to eyes.
National guidelines on tackling the coronavirus outbreak currently state that people should avoid touching their face eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
And in accordance to this the hospital added that wearing glasses instead of contact lenses can help reduce the chance of spreading Covid-19.