I remember when I was a kid and I tried to open a box of “Ring-Dings” with a scissor when it slipped and hit me in the eye. My mother rushed me to the eye hospital and fortunately my eye was fine. Now that I am a parent I want to know all I can about how to protect my children. I want to know when I need to call a doctor and when I don’t.
As for eye injuries, get medical attention immediately if your child has the following symptoms: vision changes, blood in the eyeball, change in shape of the pupil or the iris, or eye pain. Many eye injuries occur while playing sports, especially baseball and children should wear protective eye gear while playing sports. However, be aware that as in my situation, common household objects such as paperclips, rubber bands and scissors can be just as dangerous. In fact, injuries involving common household products cause 125,000 eye injuries each year.
Be cautious when working outside and protect your eyes (and your little helpers’) from debris and pesticides. Keep all cleansers and pesticides locked in a cabinet so children and animals cannot get to them. Same goes for sharp objects such as knives or garden shears.
Do not let your child play with pellet or BB guns or pointy flying toys such as darts. I always thought that if you get something in your eye, you should try rinsing it with water, but according to Eye Smart from the American Academy of Opthalmology, only rinse with water if you get a chemical in your eye. Otherwise, try to blink several times fast to allow the natural tears to flush out the object.
For more tips on the prevention and treatment of eye injuries go to http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/children-preventing-eye-injuries.cfm
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