Each year, thousands of children 5 and under have eye accidents at home, at play, or in the car. These eye injuries can damage a child's sight and even cause blindness. Taking these simple steps can help prevent eye injuries to your child:
1. Understand the dangers
2. Find and remove hazards
3. Watch your child closely
The most common causes of eye injuries to children include:
Misuse of toys
Falls from beds, against furniture, on stairs, and when playing with toys
Misuse of everyday tools and objects (work and garden tools, knives and forks, pens and pencils)
Contact with harmful household products (detergents, paints, glues, etc.)
Automobile accidents.
Finding and removing hazards
At Home: Use safety gates at top and bottom of stairs. Pad or cushion sharp corners. Put lock on all cabinets and draws that kids can reach. Keep all sharp or pointed objects out of kid's hands. Put away all hazardous chemicals, including cleaning solutions. Keep your child out of work areas.
At Play: Read all warnings and instructions on toys. Avoid toys with sharp edges or hard points, spikes, and rods. Don't buy toys that fly or shoot. Be aware of items in playgrounds and play areas that are hazards. Make sure your child wears proper eye protection when playing sports.
On the Road: Make sure children are properly secured in baby carriers and child safety seats and that the seat and shoulder belts fit well. Children age 12 and younger should never ride in the front seat. Store loose items in the trunk, or secured on the floor. Any loose object can become dangerous in a crash.
How to tell if your child has an eye injury
If you notice any of these signs, get medical help right away.
Your child has obvious pain or trouble seeing.
Your child has a cut or torn eyelid.
One eye does not move as well as the other.
One eye sticks out compared to the other.
The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape.
There is blood in the clear part of the eye.
Your child has something in the eye or under the eyelid that can't be easily removed.
