MATTAWA — Several months of the year have been set aside to warn against injury to our eyes. And rightly so.

It is estimated that more than a million people suffer from eye injuries in the United States every year. It was a sports injury on a racquetball court during a friendly (but very competitive) game of racquetball with his brother that propelled CBHA optometrist Dr. Callin Passey into the field of optometry.

“At one point during the game, I thought it was taking a long time for my brother to return my serve,” he recalled. “I turned my head to see what was going on and got hit in the eye by the ball. The force of the blow caused me to lose my vision temporarily, and I was taken to be examined by an eye doctor. “

Dr. Passey was intrigued with how the exam was conducted and decided to look into optometry. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Ohio State University in 2008.

“Our eyes are such a precious gift, and we often take them for granted by doing careless things,” Dr. Passey said. “Indeed, we are all guilty of it from time to time.”

Dr. Passey said it is important to read the instructions and labels when using household chemicals, to work in a well-ventilated area and to point all spray nozzles away from our eyes. MedicineNet.com warns that many chemicals are extremely hazardous and can permanently destroy the surface of our eyes resulting in blindness.

Hazards await in the workshop, garden, around the car and in the workplace. Prevention is the first and most important step in protecting our eyes from injuries.

Protective eyewear will shield you from flying fragments, dust particles, sparks and splashing chemicals. It can shield you from rocks as they shoot from machines, from battery acid, sparks and debris.

Dr. Passey reminds people to be careful when at their places of employment. Different occupations require different levels of protection.

“Our area economy revolves around agriculture and its associated industries,” he said.

The CBHA has expanded the styles and types of safety eyewear protection available at its vision clinics. Dr. Passey works with Alex Bountharath, CBHA EyeCare business manager, to help area businesses obtain safety eyewear that meets their industry requirements.

Questions can be directed to either Dr. Passey or Alex Bountharath by calling CBHA at 509-488-5256.