Last week, in honor of Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month, we discussed vision problems in children. This week, we are going to address the other aspect of this month: safety and eye protection.
“One pair, no spare,” says pediatric ophthalmologist John Avallone, MD.
You only have one set of eyes. It is important to take care of them starting at a young age. So make sure your kids use great care, practice prevention, and wear activity-appropriate eyewear – such as goggles, facemasks, glasses, sunglasses, etc. – in all sporting activities.
Pediatric Eye Injury Facts and Statistics
- Approximately 33% of the estimated 2.4 million eye injuries that occur annually in the United States are in people age 17 and younger.
- Eyes can be damaged by sun exposure, not just chemicals, dust or objects.
- 44.7% of all eye injuries occur in the home.
- 13% of all eye injuries are sports related.
- Between the ages of five and 14, most sports-related injuries in the U.S. occur while playing baseball.
- Every year, around 11,000 eye injuries sustained by children are caused by toys or home playground equipment
- More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear.
In the Event of a Pediatric Eye Injury you should…
If your child sustains an eye injury, you should contact your ophthalmologist as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Serious injuries are not always immediately obvious and delaying medical attention could result in permanent vision loss or even blindness. So it is better to be safe than sorry.
Administering First Aid while waiting for Medical Help
- Gently cover a cut or puncture wound.
- DO NOT apply pressure, touch, or rub the eye.
- DO NOT apply any sort of medication.
- If an object is stuck in the eye, DO NOT attempts to remove it.
- Flush the eye with water ONLY in the event of chemical exposure.
To learn more about Children’s Eye Protection and Eye Injuries, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.
Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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