Make Sure Protective Eyewear is on Your Christmas Shopping List

The following article is shared by Dr. Potthoff from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Potthoff is an ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Traverse City, MI.

In the beloved holiday movie, A Christmas Story, Ralphie attempts to convince his parents and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift. They all reject his pleas with the same warning: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” While you may not literally shoot your eye out, a new study in Ophthalmology Retina – a journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology – shows that BB and pellet guns do blind children every year.

And, the number of eye injuries related to such nonpowder guns are increasing at an alarming rate. Another study published earlier this year showed an increase of almost 170 percent over the last 23 years. If toy guns are on your shopping list, Potthoff Eye Care and Surgery in Traverse City, Michigan and the American Academy of Ophthalmology urge you to also give the gift of protective eyewear. Protective eyewear and proper guidance make BB, pellet and paintball gun activities safer for children.

Eye injuries can include traumatic cataract formation, glaucoma, eyelid injury and retinal tears and detachments. In fact, Savannah Guthrie from the Today show recently suffered a retinal tear after her toddler threw a toy train that hit her eye.

To prevent eye injuries, ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – share the following tips.

• Buy the proper eye protection. Always wear eye protection that meets appropriate national standards when using nonpowder guns.
• Get a target. Have children shoot BB and pellet guns at paper or gel targets with a backstop to trap BBs or pellets.
• Educate children. Teach them proper safety precautions for handling and using non-powder guns.
• Be present. Ensure that there is always appropriate adult supervision.
• Know what to do (and what not to)if an eye injury occurs. 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.

“Ophthalmologists see firsthand the devastating damage toy guns can inflict on the eyes; children are blinded,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., MBA, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The good news is, most of these injuries are avoidable. Protective eyewear and adult supervision make non-powder gun activities much safer for children. If you can’t resist the Ralphies in your life, buy protective eyewear.” 

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart^® website.