What child doesn't like toys? And what parent or grandparent doesn't enjoy buying a fun gift for their young loved ones? But some toys that look really fun can pose a serious risk of eye injuries — including serious injuries that can result in permanent vision loss. During the holiday season, we need to be even more mindful of the risk some toys provide.
Toy-Related Eye Injuries
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly a quarter of a million children are seen in the nation's hospital emergency departments each year due to toy-related injuries.
Nearly half of these injuries are to the head and face, and many are eye injuries. And about 35 percent of toy-related injuries are sustained by children under age 5.
But eye safety often is the last thing on people's minds when buying toys for children.
Online surveys conducted by AllAboutVision.com revealed that 41 percent of parents either "rarely" or "never" considered eye safety when choosing toys for their kids. At the same time, when asked whether any of the toys their children own could cause harm to their eyes, 54 percent of parents responded "definitely," and 22 percent said "possibly."
Common eye injuries caused by mishaps with toys can range from a minor scratch to the front surface of the eye (called a corneal abrasion) to very serious, sight-threatening injuries such as corneal ulcers, traumatic cataracts, bleeding inside the eye and retinal detachment.
Clearly, it's time for some rethinking about how we buy toys, to protect children's eyes from damage.
Six Kinds Of Toys That Pose A High Risk For Eye Injuries
Here's a list of six types of toys you might want to cross off your list when buying gifts for young children. Each has a high potential risk for eye injuries — especially if used by young children without adult supervision and guidance:
1. Guns that shoot ANY type of projectile. This includes toy guns that shoot lightweight, cushy darts. You might think these soft projectiles would pose little or no risk, but toy guns of this type can shoot up to distances of 75 feet, and the darts move at speeds fast enough to cause a serious eye injury — especially when used at close range indoors.
2. Water balloon launchers and water guns. Water balloons can cause serious blunt trauma to the eye that can cause a retinal detachment and permanent vision loss. Even toy guns that shoot a stream of water can cause serious eye damage, especially when used at close range.
3. Games that include toy fishing poles. The end of a toy fishing pole or objects secured to the end of the fishing line can easily end up in a playmate's eye.
4. Toy wands, swords, sabers or guns with bayonets. There's really no need to explain why these are a bad idea, right?
5. Aerosol string. The chemicals in these products can cause eye irritation and a type of pink eye called chemical conjunctivitis. When used at close range, aerosol string also can cause a corneal abrasion that could lead to serious eye infections.
6. Laser pointers and bright flashlights. Though technically not toys, many children love to play "laser tag" or "flashlight tag." Portable laser pointers, like those used for business presentations, should never be used by children, as the light intensity of these devices is sufficient to cause permanent vision loss. Even high-powered LED flashlights can be dangerous, because they can cause temporary blindness, putting children at risk of a fall or other accident.