September Is Vision Safety Month At The Vision Center CHLA: Sports Eye Injuries A Leading Cause Of Blindness In Children

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 27 Aug 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Sports-related eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness in school-age children, and if a young player receives a hard blow to the eye, they should be examined, even if there is no bleeding or pain.

To educate the public about vision protection, The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is actively participating in "Sports and Home Eye Safety Month" this September.

According to Dr. Mark Borchert, director, The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, "Only 15 percent of kids wear eye protection when playing sports. Safety glasses or goggles should be worn for baseball, basketball and other contact sports, especially if the child already has a vision problem. Too often, kids reject safety glasses because they are worried about looking nerdy. Fortunately, more professional athletes are wearing them now and can serve as role models."

Dr. Borchert offered the following five tips for parents to help protect their child's vision.

-- When in doubt, see a doctor. Sports injuries often result from a child getting hit in the face with a ball or elbow or getting poked in the eye with a finger. While some injuries, such as a scratch on the cornea, can be quite painful, others may not be. For example, a forceful blow to the eye can cause a retinal detachment or bleeding in the back of the eye, which are very serious, but generally painless injuries. If your child receives a major blow to his eye or eye socket, he should be examined by a medical professional, especially if he reports blurry vision or headache.

-- Choose toys carefully. Parents of younger (under age six) children should avoid toys with sharp edges or hard points, spikes and rods. Don't buy toys that fly or shoot. BB guns are dangerous; the pellets may not break the skin, but they can easily puncture an eyeball. Also, ensure that toys are age appropriate and are being used correctly and with supervision. In parks or playgrounds, be aware of potentially hazardous items such as wood chips, swings or loose boards.

-- Safety proof your home. Use safety gates at top and bottom of stairs to avoid falls. Pad or cushion sharp corners, particularly on lower objects, such as coffee tables and put safety latches on all cabinets and drawers that kids can reach, especially ones with potentially dangerous items. Keep all sharp or pointed objects out of your child's hands, and educate them on the importance of carrying items like scissors point-end down when transporting them.

-- Put away hazardous chemicals. Be sure to keep cleaning solutions, bleach, paint thinners, toilet bowl cleaners and other poisonous chemicals out of reach of children. It is important to flush the child's eye as soon as possible before going to the Emergency Department. If blurred vision, eye pain or continued tearing or blinking occurs after an hour, see your doctor immediately. Substances such as hairsprays, sunscreen, hydrogen peroxide and other detergents may cause irritation but are generally harmless, however, parents should irrigate the children's eye or eyes with tap water for a few minutes to avoid serious damage.

-- Keep a first aid kit in your home. A well-stocked first-aid kit should include an eye wash solution, among other emergency necessities. Store your first-aid kit in a place that is out of reach of children but easily accessible for adults. Be sure to check the kits regularly and make sure the medicines are still within expiration dates and replace missing items. In addition to your home, keep a first-aid kit in your car for traveling purposes.

The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is an international referral center for children afflicted with all forms of eye disease. It is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the nation with multiple subspecialty programs that are considered to be among today's finest resources for diagnosis, treatment and research.

Source: Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

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