Eight Ways to Prevent Eye Injuries from Toys

Holidays often mean gift-giving. Although it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, you want to make sure toys don’t pose a danger to the eyes. According to Stanford Children’s Health, over 11,000 children are injured each year from toys and playground equipment. 

Toys can cause various types of injuries, some of which can cause vision loss.
​

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye injuries from toys can include a ruptured eyeball, corneal scratches, and even retinal detachment.  

But most toy-related eye injuries are preventable. Taking certain steps and selecting eye-safe toys can prevent the vast majority of injuries. Below are eight ways to reduce the risk of eye injuries when giving toys to the children on your shopping list.
 
Supervise younger children: Some toys require more supervision than others. For instance, water guns and water balloon launchers may seem harmless, but a water stream shot directly into the eye can lead to an eye injury. Be sure to supervise children when using certain types of toys. Also, teach kids from an early age not to aim for the eyes or face when using a water gun.

Inspect toys first: Before letting your child play with certain toys, take a look at them to see if they have sharp or pointy edges that may make them dangerous. If a toy has a projectile, fire it first to determine if it poses a risk to your child.

Ask if in doubt: If you are buying a toy for children other than your own, ask their parents or caregiver whether the toy is appropriate. If you are not sure whether the toy poses an eye safety risk, it is better to err on the side of caution and pick something else.

Have eye injuries checked out: If your child does hurt their eye with a toy, be sure to watch for certain signs. Take your child to a healthcare provider if any of the following occurs:

• Eye pain
• Torn eyelid
• Swelling around the eye
• Cuts around the eye
• Changes in vision
• Bleeding into the eye

Sometimes signs of an eye injury needing medical care are obvious, but in other cases, you might think it is minor and does not require medical care. If you are in doubt, it is better to have the injury checked.
​
If you have any questions about eye injuries or would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.