Warning About Mowing - Eye protection

[Captain13]

With all the rain we have been having in the Southeast this year, I have been having to mow at least once a week. My field has a lot of coastal Bermuda and the house lawn has a lot of regular Bermuda. Last week, I started having blurred vision in my right eye with lots of watering and the feeling of something in the eye. Finally got in to see my optomologist and it turns out I have an eye infection. He said that more than likely it has come from mold in the grass from it being so wet lately and with the continued high humidity. I always wear glasses when mowing because Bermuda creates a lot of small particles that easily get into the eyes. However, today, I switched to a set of Wiley X glasses that I use on my motorcycle that has foam lining around each side of the frame that eliminates these particles from entering the eyes. I used them today and they worked great. So be careful mowing, especially in humid areas of the Southeast. It will take two weeks to clear this infection up. I know I won’t mow again without glasses that actually seal around the eyes.

 

[Bmyers]

Sounds to me that you have a good reason to upgrade to a tractor with a cab. If the spouse says anything, you can get a note from the doctor.

 

[old and tired]

...and that's why I only have weeds as a "lawn".

 

[Captain13]

I have 30 pecan trees so a cab is out of the question. The coastal Bermuda is left from when this was part of a 500 acre farm. my field was part of a hay field. The Bermuda around the house is a natural occurrence here. Hard to kill. Seeds are wind blown and it spreads fast. Pretty but plays havoc on humans and animals with allergies.

 

[NCL4701]

...and that's why I only have weeds as a "lawn".

I have absolutely no weeds in my lawn. I have an impressively wide variety of native plants.

Same as having a bunch of weeds but it sounds intentional and kind of implies some false moral superiority over those who have more homogenous flora in their yards as a result of their investment of money and sweat. In reality I just don’t care so long as the dirt isn’t eroding and it all looks pretty good when it’s mowed.

Getting an eye infection from mowing. Never heard of such other than when mowing copious quantities of poison ivy/poison oak. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[mcfarmall]

Sometimes when it's particularly dry and dusty, I will wear form fitting goggles when I mow the lawn. I look like a goof out there but at least my eyes aren't packed full of chaff.

 

[PaulR]

Rigid contact lenses here. I'm forced to wear safety glasses when I mow. I spin around on the zero turn and get a face full of grass every time.

 

[NHSleddog]

I wear jockey glasses for dust and debris. I have clear and tinted. They are super light and seal out the dust completely.

 

[PaulR]

I wear jockey glasses for dust and debris. I have clear and tinted. They are super light and seal out the dust completely.

interesting. I'm going to look into those.

 

[Captain13]

I’ve learned my lesson. This crap hurts. Sealed glasses from now on.

 

[ve9aa]

Great advice ! ! ! I usually wear safety glasses in case of low hanging branches flipping back at me from all the trees I mow around and occasionally on windy days, airborne grasses and weeds coming back and smacking me in the face.

I do have some allergies and found that wearing an N95 and similar "Covid" masks has reduced my reactions, but I haven't actually used my motorcyle glasses....but I do have a pair of these exactly as you described I occasional use on the Harley.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[MattN03]

I use a clear and a tinted pair of these Crossfire safety glasses when I mow. They really help keep the dust out of my eyes and contacts.

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/44327641?&cid=ppc-google-Returning+-+Safety+-+PLA_sATTVvQhZ___164124957744_c_S&mkwid=sATTVvQhZ%7cdc&pcrid=164124957744&rd=k&product_id=44327641&pgrid=36816255333&ptaid=aud-935243451268:pla-300887990044&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YNWo7tm8GbkzamL-bQLe3ZDmC6oaw6Kr2uhzata3u9YkFOxZhJWR9xoCHeQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[JimmyJazz]

I get smacked constantly by branches while mowing and have considered wearing my motorcycle helmet with the full face shield. There is no need to be in such a hurry I keep telling myself. It would be fairly easy to be semi seriously injured while pursuing my half baked tractor- centric hillbilly dreams. I have a nice scratch on the back of my neck acquired just yesterday. Not bragging or anything. Be careful people.

 

[RCW]

I do some serious weed-whacking on a regular basis with a Stihl brushcutter.

I just wear sunglasses. Often as much stuff stuck to the inside of the lenses as outside. I look the Jolly Green Giant when I'm done...head to toe.

Point taken. Good reminder.

 

[NCL4701]

Not to make light of this as it is a serious topic and worthy of attention.

JimmyJazz mention of a motorcycle helmet reminded me we have a Batman motorcycle helmet at work complete with bat ears. It was involved in a wreck and little scuffed so can’t be used again. I might ought to see if I can get it for a mowing helmet. Would at least give the neighbors something to talk about when I’m bush hogging near the road. This isn’t the actual helmet but it looks the same minus the scuffs.

 

[lugbolt]

ain't mowed in coming up on 4 weeks, nothing to mow but brown stuff. And yes I'm in the south. Wet spring, but turned off real dry. Gum trees are dropping leafs as we speak. And pines are shedding too. I have an old loblolly that will probably not make it unless we get some rain really soon. BIG loblolly, about 48" at the trunk.

 

[OrangeKrush]

I have to wear something when mowing with the ZT. For those of you mowing fields and such.. be careful with this stuff, pretty serious stuff I guess.

 

[Bmyers]

ain't mowed in coming up on 4 weeks, nothing to mow but brown stuff. And yes I'm in the south. Wet spring, but turned off real dry. Gum trees are dropping leafs as we speak. And pines are shedding too. I have an old loblolly that will probably not make it unless we get some rain really soon. BIG loblolly, about 48" at the trunk.

Maybe the potential hurricane will toss some rain your direction.

 

[Daren Todd]

I have a set of wiley x prescription safety glasses for work. Ballistic rated transition lenses, and come with a set of clip in foam inserts for dust particles. Those foam inserts are an eye saver while mowing.

I get a new set every 2 years. The old set comes home and used exclusively while mowing. It isn't too bad during the wet season. But once it gets dry, the zero turn kicks up some serious dust. I have to shut down the blades periodically and wipe my glasses off so I can see where I'm going

I started wearing them while mowing after having to stand under the shower for 10 minutes rinsing all the crud out of my eyes.

Neighbor uses a set of goggles made to go over his eye glasses with the elastic band To keep them tight.

 

[Daren Todd]

ain't mowed in coming up on 4 weeks, nothing to mow but brown stuff. And yes I'm in the south. Wet spring, but turned off real dry. Gum trees are dropping leafs as we speak. And pines are shedding too. I have an old loblolly that will probably not make it unless we get some rain really soon. BIG loblolly, about 48" at the trunk.

I'm still mowing, just down to every other week. I cut it at 4" starting in early July so it stays green longer. I do have some brown spots starting to show.