August is Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month. We discussed last month about the importance of children getting regular eye exams to monitor vision and eye health. This month we will discuss safety and preventing eye injuries in children.
When children participate in sports, science experiments or even arts & crafts, it is important for them to learn and know eye safety practices. Wearing protective eye wear is essential. More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective glasses.
Protective glasses for sports should be made with a sports frame with polycarbonate lenses and be worn in the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, racquet sports, soccer, hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, paintball.
Parents should be particularly careful of keeping chemicals and sprays in a safe place and out of reach of young children. Buy ANSI-approved protective eye wear for your children to wear during potentially dangerous yard work, household repairs, or projects.
If your child experiences an eye emergency:
- DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
- DO NOT try to remove any object stuck in the eye. For small debris, lift eye lid and ask child to blink rapidly to see if tears will flush out the particle. If not, close the eye and seek treatment.
- Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye.
- A cut or puncture wound should be gently covered.
- Only in the event of chemical exposure, flush with plenty of water.
Immediately contact an Ophthalmologist (Dr. Wise treats children), or you child’s pediatrician, or take your child to the nearest Emergency Room for immediate treatment. Delaying medical attention can cause the damaged areas to worsen and could result in permanent vision loss or blindness.
