Comments on Airguns of Arizona Blog: The Eyes Have It

Anonymous, Thanks for the kind words. The episode...

2009-06-05T04:55:18.832-07:00

Anonymous,

Thanks for the kind words. The episode I reported scared the heck out of me, and it left a scar on my cornea that screwed up my prescription in my right eye.

Fortunately, a really good optician was able to prescribe a lens for me that got me back to 20/20.

As to the weed wacking, Amen to that brother! Those "salad shooters" sure can kick up a lot stuff.

I appreciate the importance of your story. A frie...

2009-05-19T16:08:53.908-07:00

I appreciate the importance of your story. A friend of mine is a fellow shooter, pilot and police officer where I live and is not more than 42 yrs. old. He had the same kind of irritation you had, which progressed just as you described due to an unknown bacterial infection. He lost his cornea and has had to have two transplants (the 1st was rejected) in the past year and a half of sheer misery and worry. With glasses, he may now regain 20/40 vision in the eye and narrowly escaped losing vision completely due to to the infection spreading throughout the eye. No one has ever been able to explained the source of the bacteria, although it was analyzed to be be a plant-based form.

It sure made me aware of the need to get to a Doctor in a hurry with any eye infection, and never do yard work without my safety glasses on (especially the weed-wacking)

Nick, All I can say to you is: "Put a Gold Star on...

2008-07-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

Nick,

All I can say to you is: "Put a Gold Star on your chart!"

Thanks for your comment and kudos for doing the right thing with regard to eyeball safety.

I think it's always a good time to remind people t...

2008-07-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

I think it's always a good time to remind people to take care of their eyes and wear safety glasses!

I buy "visitor" polycarbonate safety glasses by the dozen from an industrial supply (either MSC or Enco, depending on what sale is being run) they usually end up costing $1.50-$1.80 each plus shipping. I keep them all around the shop and always have a nice new pair when the old ones get scratched.

Well, anonymous, I appreciate the kind words, and ...

2008-07-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well, anonymous, I appreciate the kind words, and I understand your viewpoint on the most recent blog.

I wrote about the topic because I had no idea that someone could come so close to losing their eyesight starting with such a seemingly minor irritation. Because I've spent 35 years writing about science, tech, and medical subjects, I figured that if I didn't know such a thing could happen, there would be lots of airgunners who also wouldn't know and who could potentially save their eyesight with the knowledge.

As an airgunner, if I had waited a day or two longer, I could now be attempting to learn how to shoot an air rifle left-handed.

Nevertheless, thanks for the feedback!

And don't worry -- there will be lots of good airgun stuff coming up in the future.

I really enjoy reading your articles every week bu...

2008-07-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy reading your articles every week but I didn't think this one was up to par. it seemed more like a sob story only to vaguely tie into air gun safety. I almost lost my eye in a wreck but I don't warn of the dangers of darts.