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  • Eye Health & Wellness

Choose Eye Safe Toys for a Happy Holiday Season

  • Last updated December 2, 2022

5 min read

Heather Cottrell
Written byHeather Cottrell
Jovi Boparai, MD
Reviewed by Jovi Boparai, MD
Heather Cottrell
Heather Cottrell

Bio

Since becoming a Certified Health Coach in 2005, researching and creating content to help people live longer, healthier lives is my passion. As a content creator and online marketing coach for health coaches, I spend most of my time working on screens. Keeping my eyes healthy is important not just to my work, but to my life!

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: creating content
Food: is coffee a food? ;)
Superhero: Wonder Woman
Guilty pleasure: bingewatching my favorite shows
Secret power: learning online tech quickly

Training:

Undergraduate: Fordham University
Health and wellness training: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Jovi Boparai, MD
Jovi Boparai, MDCo-founder & CEO of CorneaCarePhiladelphia, PA

Bio

Dry eye disease is tough! I get it. I have struggled with dry eyes for several years from contact lens use, and from spending countless hours looking at computer screens. In college, my dry eyes got so bad that I couldn’t wear contact lenses, because of a constant “foreign body sensation” when I had them in. I had to stop reading every 30 minutes because my eyes would start to burn and my vision would get blurry. I tried a plethora of treatments and nothing seemed to work. Dry eye disease was not only impacting my eyes, but also my emotional wellbeing. It was preventing me from enjoying life, and getting in the way of my professional training. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated and hopeless.

It was only when I realized that my dry eyes were linked to my lifestyle, environment and overall health did things start to make sense. I noticed that on days when I spent less time on the computer, my eyes felt better. My symptoms would flare when it was windy, or when there was low humidity. I knew that if I wanted to get ahead of my dry eyes, I needed to not only treat my eyes, but to also address my lifestyle. I started a consistent regimen of artificial tears and eyelid hygiene. I switched from monthly contact lenses to daily contact lenses. I started taking scheduled breaks from looking at a computer. I ate a healthier diet focused on anti-inflammatory/antioxidants foods, and I bought a humidifier for my room. In the beginning doing all this seemed impossible, but over time it became part of my usual routine. Not only did my eyes feel better, but I was overall healthier and happier! Turns out what is good for my eyes, was also good for my mind and body. I carried this lesson with me as I started my career to become an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon.

Because of my personal journey and professional training, I believe dry eye treatment starts by listening to and empowering the patient. I listen for the struggles and cue in on their strengths, while picking up on their lifestyle. Only then do we together start building a treatment plan that incorporates good eye hygiene with small, but impactful lifestyle changes. Our sight is our most important sense, and it is intimately linked to our very being. I want dry eye patients to not only get their dry eyes under control, but to also enjoy good mental and physical health, and live a fulfilling life. What is good for the eyes should also strengthen the mind and fortify the body!

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: vintage watches
Food: peanut butter
Superhero: Superman
Guilty pleasure: desserts
Secret power: has never had a headache

Training:

Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh Honors College
Medical school: Weill Cornell Medicine
Ophthalmology residency: Wills Eye Hospital.

Eye Safe Toys

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Table of Contents

Watching your child open a new toy can be the highlight of a birthday party or holiday season. Unfortunately, there are many non-eye safe toys that can lead to eye injuries, especially in younger children.

Your child’s eyes are vulnerable to injuries, and some toy-related eye injuries can have serious long-term effects.

This article aims to make you aware of the risks associated with certain types of toys and help you choose eye safe toys your children will love.

Key Points

  • Thousands of children show up in emergency rooms each year with eye injuries due to toys.
  • Common toys such as swords and toy guns are responsible for many of the injuries.
  • Eye safe toys can make great gifts while keeping your child’s eyes safe.
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How Can Toys Cause Eye Injuries for Children?

A child’s eyes are vulnerable to injury. Close to 200,000 injuries caused by toys were treated in emergency rooms across the United States in the year 2020, with male children making up more than half of all cases.1

Serious eye injuries can have long-term negative effects, including permanent vision loss.

Toy-related eye injuries include:

  • Black eyes
  • Corneal abrasions
  • Lacerations
  • Corneal hyphema
  • Ocular hyphema
  • Retinal detachment
  • Ruptured eyeballs
  • Blindness

Avoid Toys that Can Damage Your Child’s Eyes

Each year, toys are the cause of thousands of children’s eye injuries that are treated in emergency rooms.2 Prevent Blindness declared December Safe Toys and Celebrations Month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology has issued guidelines and lists of eye safe toys to help parents and other gift-givers protect children from serious eye injuries.3

The following types of toys pose the greatest risk to your child’s eyes and should be avoided, or given with caution to mature older children along with appropriate protective eyewear.

Toy Guns and Projectiles

Emergency rooms see 600 cases of toy gun related eye injuries annually, with almost 80% of these pediatric eye injuries occurring in young boys. The most common month for toy gun related eye injuries is December.4

Any toy gun that shoots a projectile, no matter how soft it seems, poses a risk of eye injury. Avoid giving children toy guns including airsoft guns, BB guns, dart shooters, or pellet guns which can cause eye contusions and retinal detachment. Even water guns and water balloon launchers can cause serious eye damage which can lead to vision loss.

If your child plays with a toy gun, or any non-eye safe toy with a projectile, including a bow and arrow, be sure they wear protective polycarbonate eyewear such as ballistic goggles.

Related Treating and Preventing Firework Debris in the Eye

Laser Pointers

Children love playing with flashlights and may pick up a laser pointer too if they have access. But laser pointers can be very dangerous, causing eye damage, serious eye injuries, and even permanent vision loss.5

Never let a child play with high-powered laser pointers. A low-intensity flashlight made especially for children is a safer choice, and you can teach them how to make shadow puppets.

Swords and Other Toys with Sharp Edges

Pointy toys are dangerous toys. Unfortunately, these types of toys are also very popular. Children of all ages enjoy playing with swords, light sabers, wands, and toy fishing poles.

The sharp edges and points on these non-eye safe toys can cause serious eye injuries, such as lacerations or corneal abrasions (scratches).

Watch closely if older children play with sharp, pointed toys. It’s best to put those types of toys away when younger children are around, as they are often at eye level with the pointed toy in an older child’s hands.

Aerosol String and Sprays

Cans full of projectiles, like string, do not make a good toy for children. The chemicals contained in these sprays can cause chemical conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal abrasions, and different kinds of eye infections in your child’s eye.6

Avoid giving these as gifts and be careful not to use them around younger children.

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How to Choose Eye Safe Toys

Follow these tips to give your children eye safe toys this holiday season and avoid eye injuries that will ruin the good times:

  • Watch your children if they’re playing with risky toys that may cause eye injuries.
  • When gifting sports equipment or science kits, be sure to include protective eyewear made for a child’s eyes.
  • Check product labels for age recommendations and read online reviews before you buy. Follow included instructions about proper assembly and safe use.
  • Consider the age recommendations on a product and the maturity level of the child, not just the child’s age.
  • Be careful to keep toys appropriate for mature older children safely away from younger children.
  • Choose toys marked with the letters ASTM, indicating the product meets American Society for Testing and Materials safety standards.

Eye Safe Toys and Other Gift Suggestions

There are plenty of great gifts you can give that will keep your children’s eyes safe while still making them light up as they open their new toys and other presents.

You won’t find video games or digital products on this list. The gifts we recommend will both protect your child’s eyes from trauma and eye injuries, as well as the eye strain caused by excessive use of screens.

Show your children how to use their gifts safely and keep a watchful eye on them while they play.

Art and Craft Supplies

Paint sets, sketchbooks, easels, and crafting kits make a fun gift for creative children. Depending on their interests, you might give jewelry-making or model-building kits. There are also art subscription kits to consider. Crayons, markers, coloring books, and modeling clay are all fun, safe choices.

Check the product descriptions to be sure to purchase items that are age-appropriate for the children in your life.

Outside Eye Safe Toys and Equipment

Gifts that get your kids outdoors, away from screens, to play with friends, and get some exercise are a great choice. Depending on the child’s age, interests and abilities, consider a bicycle, soccer ball and net, basketball and hoop, pool toys, or binoculars for bird watching.

You could gift a sleeping bag for a kid who likes camping, a surfboard for the beach lover, or a snowboard for children who enjoy winter sports. Just don’t forget the goggles!

Related What To Do if You or Kids Get Sand in the Eye 

Board and Card Games

There are a lot more board game options to choose from these days, including the classics and a myriad of modern choices for all ages and interests. Have a look at cooperative games your children will love playing with each other and you.

Science Kits

There are a number of great science experiments, kits, and monthly subscriptions your science-loving kid will enjoy. Check that the kit includes protective eyewear, or buy them a pair of goggles made to fit a young scientist.

Experiences

Experiences with your children or grandchildren make wonderful gifts. Pick up tickets to a local event, children’s museum, or theme park. You could buy season tickets for your kid’s favorite team or a membership to the zoo. Take the family on a trip to celebrate a birthday or other holiday.

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What to Do if Your Child’s Eyes are Hurt by a Toy

It’s important to seek medical attention from your eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) immediately if your child experiences an eye injury. If they are unavailable, head to the local pediatric urgent care center or emergency room.

You should never try to remove a projectile or anything else stuck in your child’s eye. Tell your child not to rub their eyes or apply pressure.

Putting it All Together

Every year, especially around the holidays, children are rushed into the emergency room with toy-related eye injuries. In some cases, these serious eye injuries lead to permanent vision loss.

The good news is that you can prevent eye injuries and protect your children’s vision by avoiding high-risk toys, and keeping toys meant for mature older children safely away from your younger children.

We here at CorneaCare wish you and your children a safe and happy holiday season!

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What’s Next

Want to learn more about keeping your child’s eyes safe and healthy? Check out more related articles in our Eye Health and Wellness section.

Bibliography

  1. Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries Calendar Year 2020, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Toy-Related-Deaths-and-Injuries-2020.pdf. Accessed 18 November 2022.
  2. Safe Toy Checklist, Prevent Blindness,  https://preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist/ Accessed 19 November 2022.
  3. The Ophthalmologist Approved Holiday Gift Guide, American Academy of Ophthalmology, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/doctor-approved-holiday-gift-guide-kids-toys. Accessed 18 November 2022.
  4. Pediatric Ocular Injury as a Result of Toy Gun Injury 2010-2019: An Observational Study, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science,  https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2775859. Accessed 19 November 2022.
  5. Is Your Laser Pointer Dangerous Enough to Cause Eye Injury? American Academy of Ophthalmology, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/laser-pointer-eye-injury. Accessed 17 November 2022.
  6. Eye Safety for Toys, Optometrists Network, https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/healthy-eyes-for-life-8-ideas-to-teach-children/eye-safety-for-toys. Accessed 18 November 2022.

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