Health Tip: Protect Your Eyes From Corneal Abrasions

(HealthDay News) -- The cornea is the tissue at the front of eye that helps focus light. A corneal abrasion occurs when that tissue is cut or scratched.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help prevent a corneal abrasion:

• Always use safety eye wear any time you're working with machines that expel wood, sawdust, metal, etc.
• Cut your fingernails to avoid scratching your eye. Keep babies' and children's nails trimmed, as well.
• Keep all tree and shrub branches, especially those at eye level, trimmed.
• Be careful when putting contact lenses in your eyes. Make sure the lenses are cleaned properly each day, and never sleep with them.