Christmas presents, paintball guns might pose a threat to eye health

December 30, 2009

Many kids might have received exciting gifts such as paintball guns or an archery set over the holidays. Though they're sure to want to try out the new gifts as soon as possible, it's important that parents also encourage their children to wear the proper safety eyeglasses while using the toys.

ScienceDaily.com reports that paintball guns can cause devastating eye injuries if the proper precautions are not taken.

"Eye injuries secondary to high-velocity paintballs can cause tremendous damage to vital ocular structures often requiring extensive surgical intervention," Dr Kyle J. Alliman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute told the news source. "Unfortunately, visual loss is often permanent."

Eighty-one percent of patients who were hit in the eye with a paintball required surgery.

Workers who feel that their eye health is at risk while they're on the job might also consider donning a pair of safety eyeglasses. According to the American Optometric Association, about 2,000 workers a day sustain eye injuries that require medical treatment.