With
the holiday shopping season now in full swing, we want you to keep in mind
certain eye injury prevention safety guidelines when choosing the perfect gifts
for the little ones in their lives. Some popular toy types are commonly associated
with childhood eye injuries. These include air guns and other toys that shoot
projectiles, high-powered lasers, and sports equipment.
We
want to encourage parents to consider these tips when gifting toys to children
this holiday season.
- Beware of airsoft, BB guns, and
other projectile toys. Every
year we treat thousands of patients with serious eye injuries caused by
seemingly safe toys. Avoid items with sharp, protruding or projectile
parts such as airsoft guns, BB guns and other non-powder gun–related
foreign objects can easily propel into the sensitive tissue of the eye.
- Never allow children
to play with high-powered laser pointers. A number of reports in the United States and internationally show that children have sustained serious eye
injuries by playing with high-powered lasers (between 1500 and 6000
milliwatts). Over the years, these lasers have become increasingly more
powerful, with enough potential to cause severe retinal damage, with just
seconds of laser exposure to the eye. The FDA advises the public to never aim or shine a laser pointer
at anyone and to not buy laser pointers for children.
- Read labels for age recommendations before you
buy. To select appropriate gifts
suited for a child's age, look for and follow the age recommendations and
instructions about proper assembly, use, and supervision.
- Don't just give presents. Make sure to be present. Always make sure an adult is supervising when children
are playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an
eye injury.
- Know what to do (and what not to). If someone you know experiences an eye injury,
seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. As you wait for
medical help, make sure to never to touch, rub, apply pressure, or try to
remove any object stuck in the eye. If an eye injury occurs follow
these important care and treatment guidelines.
Please
take steps to shop and play responsibly this year. Following these tips can
help make sure our little loved ones have healthy vision for many holiday
seasons to come. If you have questions or need an appointment please call
Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.
Center for Sight is conveniently located
at 1565
North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from
Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
