Lakewood, NJ - Each year, thousands
of children 5 and under have eye accidents at home, at play,
or in the car. These eye injuries can damage a child’s
sight and even cause blindness.
“There are many things parents can do to help prevent
children from having an eye injury,” explains William
Dalsey, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department
at Kimball Medical Center. “Many accidents occur
with toys or other objects that children have easy access
to and are using improperly,” he explains. “We’ve
seen several eye injuries over the years that have results
from common, everyday items like sticks and toys.”
According to Prevent Blindness America, the nation's leading
volunteer eye health and safety organization, there are many
common causes of eye injuries to children including: Misuse
of toys; Falls from beds, against furniture, on stairs; Misuse
of everyday tools and objects (work and garden tools, knives
and forks, pens and pencils); Contact with harmful household
products (detergents, paints, glues, etc.); and Automobile
accidents.
Dr. Dalsey recommends the following steps to
prevent eye injuries in children.
- Install safety gates at top and bottom of stairs.
- Pad or cushion sharp corners.
- Put locks on all cabinets and drawers that are within
the reach of children.
- Keep all sharp or pointed objects away from children.
- Put away all hazardous chemicals, including cleaning
solutions.
- Keep children out of work areas.
- Avoid toys with sharp edges or hard points.
- Be aware of items on playgrounds and play areas that
may be hazardous.
- Make sure your child wears proper eye protection while playing
sports.
If your child displays any of the following symptoms, Dr.
Dalsey recommends that you seek prompt medical attention:
- Your child has obvious pain or trouble seeing.
- Your child has a cut or torn eyelid.
- One eye does not move as well as the other.
- One eye sticks out compared to the other.
- The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape.
- There is blood in the clear part of the eye.
- Your child has something in the eye or under the eyelid
that can't be easily removed.
If for any reason you believe that your child has a vision
problem, visit
an eye doctor for an exam.
For further information about the Emergency Department at
Kimball Medical Center, or for a referral to another ophthalmologist
on staff at Kimball Medical Center, please call 1-888-SBHS-123
(888-724-7123).
Date: July 23, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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