Workplace Eye Awareness Month: Eye care clinicians are not exempt from safety procedures

March is Workplace Eye Awareness Month. The guidelines associated with eye safety in the workplace do not just apply to the general public but to eye care clinicians as well.

In construction and manufacturing industries, for example, in which workers might be exposed to high risks of injuries, compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for personal eye and face protection and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a must. However, healthcare professionals face just as many, if not more, eye hazards daily.¹

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) states that 90% of eye injuries can be avoided by wearing appropriate, ANSI-approved eye protection.²

Identifying risks

Splashes of bodily fluid can contain human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis C virus1among other pathogens that can enter the eye through the mucous membranes.

Exposures can occur intraoperatively, during surgical and dental procedures, wound care, and blood draws.¹

“The eye can represent a source of transmission through infected tears, as well as a pathway for infection by respiratory droplets or aerosol particles that come into contact with the conjunctiva. Workers in several occupations may be vulnerable to ocular infection by SARS-CoV-2, especially in situations where people are not wearing protective masks,” according to the authors of a Brazilian study,³ who called for professional training in prevention of ocular infections.

“The idea that droplets of saliva can transmit infection by coming into contact with the eye would support the implementation of educational initiatives to encourage the use of protective eyewear, with or without facial protection, in health care and other occupations. Professionals involved in emergency services (such as ambulance drivers) as well as cleaning and transportation staff should also be considered, as they may be exposed to contamination via the ocular route,³” they emphasized.

Aerosol particles originate from dental drills, suction tools, nebulizers, and lab centrifuges, all of which generate particles that move through the air and can land in the eyes.¹

Chemicals in labs and surgical rooms are often acidic, caustic, or otherwise irritating. When splashed, the results can be vision loss, corneal burns, and irritation. Chemical vapors alone can irritate eyes if unprotected over time.

Equipment and tools in medical offices include surgical instruments, syringes, dental picks, or scalpels, can be involved in ocular damage if dropped or if patients move suddenly.

Lasers are a particular danger for eye care clinicians. The University of California San Diego issued warnings about the effects of ocular exposure to laser light.⁴

When unprotected, the human eye can be permanently damaged from direct or reflected beams. The ocular area damaged by laser energy depends on the wavelength of the incident laser beam. The retina, cornea, and lens are the areas most commonly damaged, according to the University’s Laser Safety Program.⁴

They specifically cited that laser light in the visible to near-infrared spectrum (400-1,400 nm) can cause retinal damage. Infrared A is transmitted by the cornea to the lens of the eye, which then narrowly focuses it on the retina, concentrating the radiant exposure of the laser by up to 100,000 times. Since the retinal tissue cannot be repaired, the lesions from the focusing of visible or near-infrared light on the retina may be permanent. The most critical retinal areas are the macula and fovea.

Laser light in the ultraviolet (180-400 nm) or far-infrared (1,400 nm-1 mm; carbon dioxide lasers, 10,600 nm) spectrum can damage the cornea or lens. Ultraviolet photochemical damage is caused by absorption of ultraviolet light (UV) by selective sensitive portions of corneal cells. Excessive exposure to UV light can cause photophobia, ocular redness, tearing, discharge, and stromal haze. Far infrared light can cause thermal damage by heating the tears and tissue water of the cornea by the infrared light. Excessive exposure to infrared radiation results in lost corneal transparency or surface irregularities.⁴

Picking personal protective equipment

The personal protective equipment (PPE) should beANSI Z87.1-certified safety glasses with side protection or goggles/face shields to protect against fluids and splashes.¹

The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health⁵ (NIOSH) offers extensive guidelines to ensure maximal ocular safety by choosing the most appropriate PPE.

“Choosing the right eye protection for specific work situations depends on exposure risks, other PPE used, and individual vision needs. There are many types of eye protection, and selection should focus on the nature and extent of the hazards. Eye protection must be comfortable, provide good peripheral vision, and fit securely,” according to NIOSH.

It is advised that each task be evaluated and the potential exposure routes considered.

The common eye protections include:

• Goggles that should fit well and be indirectly vented goggles with an anti-fog coating to protect from splashes, sprays, and droplets. Newer goggles improve airflow to help prevent fogging, have improved side vision, and offer more size options. Many of these goggles can sit comfortably over prescription glasses with little gap. Optimally, they fit snugly around the eyes and brow.⁵
• Face shields, an alternative to goggles for infection control, also protect other parts of the face. A face shield should cover the crown of the head and chin and wrap around to the ears to prevent splashes from getting around the edges and reaching the eyes.⁵
• Safety glasses (spectacles), which provide impact protection, do not protect against splash or droplet protection as well as goggles and, therefore, should not be used for infection control.⁵
• Full facepiece respirators and powered air-purifying respirators prevent respiration of germs and protect the eyes.⁵
• Prescription lenses with side protection are available but do not offer as much splash protection as goggles.⁵
• Contact lenses alone do not provide infection control protection, but workers can wear them with recommended eye protection devices, including full-face respirators.⁵

Other resources

The CDC also offers extensive background information and more details on eye protection for workers⁶ to complement current CDC infection control guidelines.

The topics include:

• Infection prevention and control
  • CDC's Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings
  • Disinfection and Sterilization Guideline
  • Environmental Infection Control Guidelines
  • Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings (2002)
  • Isolation Precautions Guideline
  • Standard Precautions for All Patient Care
  • Transmission-Based Precautions
• Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel
  • Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel: Infrastructure and Routine Practices
  • Infrastructure and Routine Practices for Occupational Infection Prevention and Control Services (201
  • Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel: Epidemiology and Control of Selected Infections
  • Epidemiology and Control of Selected Infections Transmitted Among Healthcare Personnel and Patients
• Healthcare personnel (HCP)-specific
  • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Infected Healthcare Personnel
  • HBV Protection and Postexposure Management
  • Hepatitis C Virus-exposed Healthcare Personnel
  • HIV Occupational Exposure Management
  • Vaccines for Healthcare Personnel

7 Protective Steps

RightPatient, on online biometric patient identification and recognition program, advises eye care providers to take the following seven steps⁷:

1. Understand laser risks in healthcare

Even brief exposure to laser light can lead to vision loss. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that many ocular injuries occur when clinicians or staff bypass proper eyewear, assuming brief exposure is safe. Reflected beams, bouncing off surgical instruments or clinic surfaces, pose additional risks, especially in fast-paced environments like operating theaters.⁷

The authors pointed out problem areas, first, that invisible lasers such as those used in LASIK do not trigger the eye’s natural blink reflex and momentary safety lapses when adjusting equipment without protection can result in retinal damage.

2. Select eyewear tailored to medical lasers

The eyewear used to protect against laser exposure must be chosen based on the specific light output in a practice. They must have filters that block harmful wavelengths but at the same time facilitate visibility.⁷

3. Adhere to healthcare safety standards

Eyewear in hospitals and clinics must comply with stringent standards like ANSI Z136.1, which ensures protection against direct laser exposure for several seconds—critical during delicate procedures. OSHA mandates laser eye protection goggles for staff working with Class 3B or 4 lasers, common in ophthalmology and cosmetic treatments. A 2023 OSHA report noted that inadequate eyewear contributed to numerous laser-related incidents in healthcare settings, highlighting the need for compliance.⁷

Check eyewear labels for optical density (OD) ratings of the selected eyewear should be checked for the level of laser light blocked. Polycarbonate lenses suit most clinical tasks, while glass lenses are better for high-energy lasers. Certified laser safety glasses, verified through tools like an OD Calculator, ensure compliance with standards, protecting clinicians and aligning with hospital safety protocols.

4. Integrate biometrics for safety compliance

Ensuring eyewear compliance in healthcare settings can be challenging, especially in large hospitals with multiple laser-equipped departments. By adapting biometric technology—such as iris or facial recognition—hospitals can track which staff members wear appropriate laser eye protection safety glasses during procedures.⁷

A 2024 study in the Journal of Occupational Health found that nearly one in three healthcare workers skipped protective gear due to discomfort or oversight. Biometric systems can flag non-compliance, prompting immediate corrective action, such as replacing ill-fitting glasses. This integration reduces risks, protects staff and reinforces a culture of safety in high-pressure clinical environments.⁷

5. Prioritize comfort for clinical precision

A 2024 workplace health study noted that discomfort led many clinicians to bypass protective gear, contributing to preventable injuries. Imagine a dermatologist pausing mid-procedure to adjust foggy glasses—such disruptions can compromise patient outcomes.⁷

Select eyewear with features designed for clinical settings such as anti-fog coatings, side shields to block stray beams from surgical tools or reflective surfaces, and adjustable frames for a comfortable fit.⁷

6. Maintain eyewear for reliable protection

A 2022 NIOSH report found that poorly maintained eyewear contributed to laser-related incidents in hospitals. Regular inspections before procedures, such as checking for lens cracks, are essential to ensure protection. Eyewear should be cleaned properly, inspected daily, and stored securely.⁷

7. Strengthen healthcare safety culture

Laser safety glasses tailored to medical lasers, combined with ANSI Z136.1 compliance, provide a robust defense against injury. Integrating biometric systems enhances compliance by tracking eyewear use alongside patient identity verification.⁷

References

1. Ocusafe. ANSI Z87.1 for healthcare professionals: a special focus; https://ocusafe.com/blog/ansi-z87-1-for-healthcare-professionals-a-special-focus; Published on June 18, 2025.

2. Turbert D. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye injury protection. published April 14, 2014. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work

3. Matos AG, Sarquis IC, Santos AAN, Cabral LP. COVID-19: risk of ocular transmission in health care professionals. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2021;19:82–7. doi: 10.47626/1679-4435-2021-598

4. University of California San Diego. Laser Safety Program: biological effects of laser radiation. Last updated: October 27, 2020. https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/radiation/lasers/effects.html

5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Eye protection for infection control. Published February 11, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.html

6. CDC. Infection control. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/guidance/index.html

7. RightPatient. How to protect your eyes from laser treatments and procedures. Published October 13, 2025; https://www.rightpatient.com/guest-blog-posts/how-to-protect-your-eyes-from-laser-treatments-and-procedures/