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How serious are paint-related eye injuries?

On Behalf of | Aug 19, 2021 | Workers' Compensation |

If you have the skill and the right equipment, you can make a lucrative living working as a painter. Still, whether you work on commercial or residential jobs, painting can take a toll on your body. Eventually, you are likely to contend with back, shoulder and joint pain. Your eyes may also be at risk of suffering a serious injury.

Wearing the correct personal protective gear at work may minimize your chances of sustaining a paint-related eye injury. If you suffer one, though, your odds of recovering are likely to hinge on the extent of the damage to your eye.

Chemical irritants

Paint often includes volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, ozone and other chemicals that can be toxic to the eyes. If you get paint in your eyes, you may experience a burning or stinging sensation. Regrettably, depending on the chemical and the severity of your burn, irritants may lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.

High-pressure sprays

If you use a commercial-grade sprayer to apply paint, you must be careful not to point the sprayer toward your face. Because these sprayers emit paint at high velocities, wet paint may embed itself deep inside eye tissue. This may cause blurred vision, cloudy vision or long-term blindness. Remember, even high-pressure air from your sprayer’s nozzle may damage your eyes.

Eye trauma

In addition to your sprayer, you work with scrapers, paint cans, ladders, rollers and other pieces of equipment. If any of these hit your eye, you may sustain a traumatic injury. With traumatic eye injuries, you may experience a variety of life-altering complications, such as sensitivity to light or difficulty focusing your vision.

While a paint-related eye injury may change your life forever, you probably do not have to pay mounting medical bills by yourself. Ultimately, if you suffer your injury at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that include medical coverage and wage replacement.