Toys can cause eye injuries

Toys can

cause eye injuries

Every year,

nearly 7,000 children suffer eye injuries from toys, but most of these

injuries can be prevented, according to eye care professionals.

"Most

manufacturers of children's toys try to make them safe," said Dr.

Paul Ajamian, president of the Georgia Optometric Association. "But

there are still some toys that are poorly designed with sharp, pointed

or rough edges that can cut or poke."

Here are some

guidelines to follow to protect your child's vision:

Avoid poorly

constructed toys with exposed nails or made of a brittle material that

can shatter, sending splinters or sharp pieces into a child's eyes.

Choose toys

brooms, mops, sweepers and push toys with sticks that have rounded edges.

Select toys

appropriate to the child's age. Children under two should not have toys

with stick handles. Those under six should not play with darts, arrows,

slingshots, other missile-throwing games or toys that eject missiles.

Even those with suction cup tips can be unsafe in their hands.

Teach older

children the proper way to play with darts, arrows, slingshots and other

missile-throwing toys and supervise their play.

Require older

children and teens to wear safety goggles that meet the American National

Standards Institute's Z87.1 standards when playing or working with chemistry

sets, some hobby kits, workshop tools, rifles, BB guns, and sleds. These

safety goggles can be purchased at hardware, hobby and department stores.

Be certain

children have and wear the proper goggles when using mini-bikes, skis

and snowmobiles.

Dr. Ajamian

also suggests that if a child should suffer an eye injury, parents should

administer emergency care immediately and then seek professional help

promptly.

For blows

to the eyes, cold compresses should be applied for 15 minutes. For chemical

splashes, the eye should be flooded nonstop with low-pressure water for

15 minutes to dilute and remove the chemical.

Never wash

an eye that is cut or punctured. Bandage it lightly and seek professional

care. If an object is stuck in the eye, leave it there and get professional

help immediately.

After an eye

injury has healed, an optometrist can evaluate the child's vision to determine

if a vision loss has occurred and, if needed, prescribe prescription lenses

and other optical devices to help the child maximize his or her remaining

vision.