MURFREESBORO, TN - Summer is a time for families to enjoy a getaway, a break from reality, and maybe even a vacation to the beach. However, it's also a time that emergency rooms see an uptick in visits. One common issue that many face are eye injuries, often caused by dirt and debris while using weed-eaters and lawnmowers.

Dr. Craig McCabe with McCabe Vision Center noted that injuries from flying debris while weed-eating and lawn mowing are quite common... Research indicates that nearly 82,000 injury incidents involving weed-eaters were reported over a nine-year period (2000-2009), with the most commonly injured body part listed as the eye, or eyes. It is important to remember that this figure only includes reported accidents. Evidently, a huge percentage of injured parties treat their own injuries at home, which could lead to a much bigger problem if not treated correctly.

Another frequent eye injury of the summer occurs to people who are attempting to clear a clogged hose line. Dr. McCabe explained… Looking directly into a clogged hose is always a recipe for disaster. From hydraulic hoses to garden hoses, people often peer into hoses that are under pressure or while they are turned on, leading to injuries that are more common than one might think. Dr. McCabe said, "You wouldn't work on an electrical problem without flipping off the electricity AND breaker, so why would you look into the end of a hose that is turned on to un-stop it?"

Regardless of how your eye, eyes or any other body part is injured, it's always a good idea to have it checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. For eye injuries, it's best to err on the side of caution by dialing 911 or heading to the emergency room. For less urgent issues, you can call McCabe Vision Center (615) 904-9024.

Listen to our full podcast above this article: WGNS’ Scott Walker interviewed Dr. Craig McCabe of McCabe Vision Center in Murfreesboro. Hear the full interview by hitting the play button ABOVE this article.