safety comment...
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
I also got a piece of metal in my eye while grinding, it was a spark so it melted into my eye, it did not bother me until it started to rust the next day. I had to go get it ground out, the doc used something that looked like a Dremel w/ a buffing wheel, it did not hurt because he numbed me, but just knowing what was happening was scary!
BTW, anyone ever get carb cleaner in their eye? I have only once wished I was dead, and it was the moment that carb cleaner hit my eye!!
BTW, anyone ever get carb cleaner in their eye? I have only once wished I was dead, and it was the moment that carb cleaner hit my eye!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I've had a piece of metal in my eye 3 times (slow learner), so I know what you're going through Joe. Don't know why the clinic couldn't get it out for you. Here's my advice. When you go to the eye Doctor, if the assistant says they have to do that test where the puff the air in your eye before you can see the Doctor, tell them NO, I've got something in my eye.
They'll put a few drops in your eye to deaden it, drop some dye in there and find the problem. Some are gentle when removing it, others are a little less gentle. All of them will tell you that when the drops wear off, light (daylight) will cause pain since your eye is sore. That had me worried the first time, but any pain there might have been from light is nothing compared to what you're feeling now, so pretty much ignore that worry.
Use the anti-biotic drops they give you, and they'll tell you to buy Re-Nu eyedrops. It's expensive, but seems to work well, so you might as well pick up some of that when you get a chance.
Next get you a half dozen pair of safety glasses and stick a pair everywhere they might be useful. I wear them all the time now.
They'll put a few drops in your eye to deaden it, drop some dye in there and find the problem. Some are gentle when removing it, others are a little less gentle. All of them will tell you that when the drops wear off, light (daylight) will cause pain since your eye is sore. That had me worried the first time, but any pain there might have been from light is nothing compared to what you're feeling now, so pretty much ignore that worry.
Use the anti-biotic drops they give you, and they'll tell you to buy Re-Nu eyedrops. It's expensive, but seems to work well, so you might as well pick up some of that when you get a chance.
Next get you a half dozen pair of safety glasses and stick a pair everywhere they might be useful. I wear them all the time now.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
My very first boss when I joined the Air Force 20 years ago had a permanent spot on his eye courtesy a tiny piece of safety wire......He was a maniacal tyrant when it came to safety glasses. Now I don't always do the right thing, but I keep a pair in the house, and in the tool box, and in the truck box, and in the old lady's car, and at work......just in case.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, WI
Quote F350-6 :::Next get you a half dozen pair of safety glasses and stick a pair everywhere they might be useful. I wear them all the time now.
__________________
That is great advice Chris..I too have safety glasses stashed everywhere.I'd have no excuses not to wear them...
__________________
That is great advice Chris..I too have safety glasses stashed everywhere.I'd have no excuses not to wear them...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
Don't think that safety glasses are 100%. Modern grinders throw out pretty good sized, sharp shavings that move so fast they ricochet around. They can bounce off something and come back at your eye from behind. I got one in my eye this way. Be aware of where the sparks are going and don't let them bounce back toward your face.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Miami Beach
Hey jock,
I know you meant well but thats like saying I can get out of my car wreck faster without having to disconnect my seatbelt latch.. Just wear the damn things. And if you need magnifiers, heres the link. I have more pairs of these than actual reading glasses, which of course pisses off the wife when we go out to eat and I pull on a pair of these beauties..
Bifocal Readers, Elvex Eyewear; Safety Glasses,
I know you meant well but thats like saying I can get out of my car wreck faster without having to disconnect my seatbelt latch.. Just wear the damn things. And if you need magnifiers, heres the link. I have more pairs of these than actual reading glasses, which of course pisses off the wife when we go out to eat and I pull on a pair of these beauties..
Bifocal Readers, Elvex Eyewear; Safety Glasses,
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Been there, done that! I didn't wish myself dead, but it was sure painful!
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
I got a piece of rust in my eye when I was about 17 while replacing the stereo unit in my first car. Doc picked it out, but I was patched for about 3 days and it was pretty painful.
Here's one more... Fluids can be just as much, if not more troublesome to the eyes, and it only takes a few seconds to be hurt! I got a good shot of caustic-laden calcium carbonate lime mud shot into my eye and ear. I had been wearing my safety glasses the way I should, and stopped to slip them off for 10 seconds to wipe away some water splashes and BAM... a co-worker "closed" a quick-opening hand valve that had the handle installed incorrectly (it was already closed, and he OPENED it) which shot a stream of water down a piece of equipment and flushed the lime mud straight into the right side of my face. It wasn't bad enough that the lime mud was abrasive, but the cautic content began eating at my skin and eye immediately.
Even though I hit the eye wash station within seconds, I still ended up with chemical burns and abrasive and chemical damage to my right eye. Patched eye for 3 days. Everything healed nicely with no permanent damage, but I was fortunate to have been able to flush with water immediately or it might have been much worse.
Here's one more... Fluids can be just as much, if not more troublesome to the eyes, and it only takes a few seconds to be hurt! I got a good shot of caustic-laden calcium carbonate lime mud shot into my eye and ear. I had been wearing my safety glasses the way I should, and stopped to slip them off for 10 seconds to wipe away some water splashes and BAM... a co-worker "closed" a quick-opening hand valve that had the handle installed incorrectly (it was already closed, and he OPENED it) which shot a stream of water down a piece of equipment and flushed the lime mud straight into the right side of my face. It wasn't bad enough that the lime mud was abrasive, but the cautic content began eating at my skin and eye immediately.
Even though I hit the eye wash station within seconds, I still ended up with chemical burns and abrasive and chemical damage to my right eye. Patched eye for 3 days. Everything healed nicely with no permanent damage, but I was fortunate to have been able to flush with water immediately or it might have been much worse.
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