Eye Protection for Infection Control

Overview

CDC recommends eye protection for tasks and settings where workers are at risk of infectious diseases. Germs can get into a person's body through the eyes.

This webpage offers background information and details on eye protection for workers to complement current CDC infection control guidelines.

Infectious diseases spread in different ways, including through the eyes. Germs like viruses and bacteria enter through the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva). This can lead to conditions like pink eye (conjunctivitis), caused by germs such as adenovirus, herpes simplex, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Eye protection helps keep germs and other harmful materials out of a person's eyes. Workers usually wear it along with other safety gear, like gloves, gowns, masks, or respirators.

Eye protection in workplaces

Choosing the right eye protection for specific work situations depends on exposure risks, other PPE used, and individual vision needs. There are many types of eye protection, and selection should focus on the nature and extent of hazards. Eye protection must be comfortable, provide good peripheral vision, and fit securely. Employers may need to offer various styles and sizes.

To select appropriate eye protection, employers should evaluate each task and consider potential exposure routes. Reviewing exposure incident reports can also help employers choose proper eye protection selection and minimize future risk.

Common types of eye protection

Goggles

Well-fitted, indirectly-vented goggles with an anti-fog coating provide the best choice for protecting workers' eyes from splashes, sprays, and droplets. Newer goggles:

• Improve airflow to help prevent fogging
• Offer better side vision,
• Have more size options to fit different people.

Many types fit comfortably over prescription glasses with little gap.

For optimal performance, goggles must fit snugly around the eyes and brow. However, they do not protect other parts of your face from splashes or sprays. Directly-vented goggles can let splashes in, so experts recommend using indirectly-vented or non-vented goggles for infection control.

Face shields

Workers often use face shields as an alternative to goggles for infection control. Unlike goggles, face shields also protect other parts of the face. For effective protection from splashes and sprays, a face shield should cover the crown of the head and chin and wrap around to the ears. This design helps prevent splashes from getting around the edges and reaching the eyes.

Be sure your PPE claim to meet appropriate safety standards.

Safety glasses (spectacles)

Safety glasses (or spectacles) provide impact protection, but they do not offer the same level of splash or droplet protection as goggles. Generally, safety glasses should not be used for infection control purposes.

Full facepiece respirators

Full facepiece respirators and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are mainly used to prevent breathing in germs. However, they also offer excellent eye protection because of their design. These respirators not only keep your lungs safe but also provide great protection for workers' eyes.

Prescription lenses

Many safety goggles or non-prescription safety glasses can comfortably fit over prescription eyewear, providing good protection without affecting the fit. Prescription safety glasses with side protection are available but do not offer as much splash protection as goggles. Workers can use special prescription inserts with goggles.

When using full facepiece elastomeric respirators or tight-fitting PAPRs, appropriate prescription inserts are needed to maintain a proper seal. PAPRs with loose-fitting facepieces or hoods may better accommodate prescription lens wearers.

Contact lenses alone do not provide infection control protection, but workers can wear them with recommended eye protection devices, including full-face respirators. Contact lens users should follow strict hand washing guidelines when inserting, adjusting, or removing their lenses.

Using eye protection with other PPE

Choose eye protection based on other PPE requirements. Safety goggles or spectacles may not fit well with certain half-face respirators. Face shields might not fit over some respirators.

Once employers determine PPE needs for a specific infection control situation, they should have workers test the selected gear to ensure a proper fit and adequate protection when used together. Elastomeric full facepiece respirators and PAPRs provide excellent eye protection as an added benefit.

In cases where all types of PPE are not available, employers should carefully select complementary gear for effective protection.

Removing eye protection

Remove eye protection by only handling the parts that secure it to the head (like plastic temples, elastic bands, or ties). These areas are considered relatively "clean." Avoid touching the front and sides of goggles or face shields. These surfaces are most likely contaminated by sprays or droplets.

Place non-disposable eye protection in a designated container for cleaning and disinfection. The order of PPE removal should follow a specific protocol developed by infection control staff, considering the need to remove other PPE as well.

Reuse and disinfection

Reusing eye protection

Eye protection is typically not disposable and must be disinfected before reuse. Ideally, each worker should have their own eye protection to ensure a proper fit and reduce the risk of exposing others. A labeled container for used (potentially contaminated) eye protection should be available near where PPE is removed. Used eyewear can be collected, disinfected, washed, and reused.

Disinfecting eye protection

Follow specific procedures for cleaning and disinfecting reusable eye protection in healthcare settings. Consult manufacturers for guidance on their products. Clean contaminated eyewear in an area designated for soiled equipment. Use the hospital's approved disinfectant to clean and disinfect the eyewear, rinse it, and let it air dry. Always wear gloves when handling these potentially contaminated devices.