March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

by | Mar 1, 2017 | Eye Health News, Eyecare Technology, Eyewear | 0 comments

Eye protection sign for workplace eye safety month in March of every year

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month!

Did you know that every March is workplace eye wellness month? Well, it is! Did you also know that nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury annually. Every march during Workplace Eye Wellness Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology talks with employers and employees about the importance of wearing only certified, approved protective eyewear. 

Tips for Eye Protection in the Workplace

These tips for eye protection in the workplace are meant as suggestions only. We strongly recommend you are always in compliance with your specific industry and company regulations, which may (very well) be stricter than what we are about to share. This being said, please always be sure to:

 

  • Wear at least officially approved safety glasses with side-shields in any area with flying particles, objects or dust
  • Wear at least full-coverage goggles in any area with chemicals
  • Wear only special purpose safety googles, face shields and/or helmets when working in any area with hazardous radiation coming from welders, lasers and/or fiber optics

Protecting Your Eyes at Work

No matter what industry you are in, protecting your eyes at work is of the utmost importance for you, as well as everyone who relies on your vision to keep them safe. Although protecting your eyes at work is vitally important for everybody, if you are in the following industries, protecting your eyes at work can result in much less risk for your vision health on a daily basis:

 

  • Construction/mining
  • Manufacturing
  • Welding/carpentry/plumbing
  • Maintenance
  • Auto repair

International Safety Equipment Association

For those who are unfamiliar, the International Safety Equipment Association has set standardized regulations for eye protection in the workplace. Specially:

“ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 prescribes the design, performance specifications, and marking of safety eye and face products, including millions of safety goggles, spectacles, faceshields, and welding helmets, worn by workers in thousands of manufacturing and processing facilities, university and research laboratories, and other occupational settings.”

The Z87 Committee on Safety Eye and Face Protection, which is administered by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), developed this protocol. It was then approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The safety eyewear conforming to this standard is widely used throughout the United States. Furthermore, this standard is incorporated into OSHA regulations for personal protective equipment.

Whether you feel like digging deeper into the statutes and regulations guiding eye protection in the workplace, please know that just because March is workplace eye wellness month doesn’t mean there are not organizations looking after your eye health and safety all year round!

The Best Optometrists in North Phoenix

Whether you want to protect your eyes at work, or you want to be extra careful at home in the garage or while active, Tatum Eyecare is here to help. Although March is Workplace Wellness Eye Month specifically, we are committed to safety-based vision care in Phoenix all year round. We stock a full line of safety eyewear, complete with side shields and all safety lenses are ANSI certified and stamped. However, if you mention this blog every March, you can receive 25% off your safety eyewear order in celebration Workplace Eye Wellness Month! With Tatum EyeCare’s help, protecting your eyes at work has never been easier or more affordable. You should rightfully expect nothing less from optometrists dedicated to providing outstanding vision care in Phoenix. We  welcome you to contact us to learn more about we can help you get proper eye protection in the workplace!

Contact Tatum Eyecare

Dr. Bryan Fuller

Dr. Bryan Fuller of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. Fuller grew up in Issaquah, Washington and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. He decided to ditch the calculator and trade it in for a phoropter and slit lamp. He headed east to The Ohio State University where he received his Optometry degree in 1998. Go Bucks! Not wanting to return to the gray of Washington, after graduation, he headed southwest to sunny Arizona. Shortly thereafter he met Dr. McPhelan and they partnered up at their original location, Optical Illusions. With the success of the first location, the two doctors opened up their north location, Optique at the Ridge. After many years of operating the two locations, it was time for an upgrade. In 2016 they merged the two locations into their larger and current location, Tatum Eyecare! When not at the office, Dr. Fuller enjoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and two boys. Dr. Fuller holds the following degrees:

Ohio State University - Doctorate of Optometry
Washington State University - B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Dr. James McPhelan

Dr. James McPhelan of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. McPhelan grew up in Southern California and enlisted in the Army at age 17. He graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in 1976, then started practicing optometry in Arizona in 1977. Over the next few years, he grew 20/20 Eye Care to 15 offices. In 1999, he and Dr. Fuller took over Optical Illusions, then opened Optique at the Ridge. In 2016, they created Tatum Eyecare. In his spare time, Dr. McPhelan is an avid golfer, often competing in multiple tournaments through the year. Dr. McPhelan holds the following degrees:


Southern California College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry

Dr. Houle

Dr. Houle
Dr. Houle is following in her father's footsteps as an optometrist. She is a North Dakota native who received her Bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota before earning her Doctorate of Optometry from Midwestern University - Arizona College of Optometry. Dr. Houle began her career in eye care more than 10 years ago, and she worked as a receptionist, optician, and technician before becoming an optometrist. She has a particular interest in the management of ocular disease including dry eye and glaucoma. In her free time, Dr. Houle is an avid baseball fan (go Twins!) and spends as much time as possible with her friends and family in both Arizona and North Dakota.

Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry
University of North Dakota - Bachelor of Science: Biology

Dr. Kenneth O'Daniel

Dr. Kenneth O'Daniel of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. O’Daniel was born in the beautiful mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Wright State University and graduated with his BS in Biology in 1977; shortly thereafter, beginning his Masters in BioChemistry.

Dr. O’Daniel is also a 1983 graduate of the Illinois College Optometry. He met his wife Lori during this period. Lori, a Chicago native, became an integral part of his practice (and life!) shortly thereafter.
He moved to Scottsdale in 1986 to begin practicing inside LensCrafters. In 1990 Dr. O'Daniel opened the Scottsdale LensCrafters, and he also presided as its director of Optometric services.
Dr. O’Daniel became an Optometrist because of his love and passion for photography, physics, and desire provide patients with the ability to see the world more clearly. As a licensed optometrist, Dr. O’Daniel provides complete eye care services for the surrounding communities ages seven and up.
Dr. O’Daniel has had a working relationship with both Dr. Fuller and McPhellan for over two decades. He has served as past director for the Arizona Optometric Association, and past President of the Central Arizona Optometric Society. In January, 2018 Dr. O’Daniel decided to join Tatum Eye Care, the premier Eye Care Center in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Dr. O’Daniel’s goal is simple: Provide Excellent Eye Care, treat patients as family, and treat everyone honestly and fairly!

Dr. Christina Wong

Dr. Christina Wong of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
A southern California native, Dr. Wong attended UCLA where she received her B.S. in Biology. She then completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Wong moved to Arizona to complete a residency in ocular disease at Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Following residency, Dr. Wong earned the distinction of Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Wong provides comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages, from pediatrics through seniors. She has a special interest in the management of medical eye conditions including glaucoma, eye infections, dry eye and diabetic retinopathy.
Outside of the office, Dr. Wong enjoys running, going to the beach, rooting for the Bruins, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.
University of California Los Angeles - B.S. in Biology
Southern California College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry

Dr. Ryan Felten

Dr. Felten of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. Felten is a native to Arizona, and was raised in North Phoenix where most of his family still resides. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University; then returned home to Arizona to pursue his Doctor of Optometry at Midwestern University in Glendale. While at Midwestern University, he was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and was the recipient of the Clinical Excellence Award in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy. Dr. Felten enjoys working with patients of all ages and also speaks fluent Spanish. Dr. Felten holds the following degrees:


Brigham Young University - Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Midwestern University - Doctorate of Optometry