Social: #SafeToysandCelebrationsMonth
Twitter: @AcademyEyeSmart @aao_ophth
Facebook: @AcademyEyeSmart @AmericanAcademyofOphthalmology
Website: https://www.aao.org/eye-health
The American Academy of Ophthalmology urges parents to avoid buying toys that can cause serious eye injuries, even blindness. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2017. Almost half of those incidents were injuries to the head. Unfortunately, most of these injuries happen to children under age 15. It's important to think about the safety of any gift you're giving, especially if it's a gift for a child.
Top Toy Safety Tips:
Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.
Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury.
Ensure that laser product labels include a statement that the device complies with 21 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations) Subchapter J.
If you give a gift of sports equipment, also give the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your ophthalmologist to learn about protective gear recommended for your child's sport.
Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity.
Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.
If your child experiences an eye injury from a toy, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 561-8534
media@aao.org
aao.org/eyesmart
Materials available
Contact: Beatrice Shelton
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Source: 2019 National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.