American Academy of Ophthalmology Wants Children to Enjoy an Injury-Free Holiday Season

SAN FRANCISCO – Although reports about the hazards lead presents in toys have attracted attention this holiday season, lead is not the only danger toys can present to children. December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds parents of the dangers that some toys may pose to children’s eyes.

“The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness and celebration,” said David Coats, MD, clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and pediatric ophthalmologist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. “A serious eye injury can bring an abrupt end to the celebration. Parents should choose a toy that is appropriate for their child's age, abilities, maturity, and the parent’s willingness to supervise use of the toy.”

Children receive all sorts of potentially unsafe presents during the holidays, including BB guns, darts, pellet guns and paintball guns. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 210,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2005, the most recent year for which data is available. About 6,000 of those were injuries to the eyes of children under age 15.

“Any toy that can eject or propel an object can lead to a serious eye injury if used incorrectly,” said Dr. Coats. “This includes innocuous appearing toys such as a popgun or a paddleball set.” Among the patients Dr. Coats’ has treated for injuries from toys is a boy who suffered a severe hemorrhage inside his eye after being shot with a potato gun. 

Don’t forget that sports equipment, a popular gift, should also include protective eyewear. Sports-related eye injuries are common and can cause permanent vision loss, accounting for about 40,000 eye injuries annually. “If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, facemasks or goggles with polycarbonate lenses,” said Dr. Coats. Parents can check with their Eye MD to learn about protective gear recommended for their child's sport.

For more information about eye safety, go to www.geteyesmart.org, the Academy’s public Web site.

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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.