Give safety glasses with potentially dangerous toys

December 23, 2010

Eye experts are urging gift-givers to include safety eyeglasses with any holiday gifts that could harm the eyes.

"We see about two or three of those a year," eye doctor Donald Schlomer told NewsFirst5.com. "It's kind of funny how it's always an accident, but it should have been a preventable accident."

Schlomer says that popular toys such as guns that shoot soft darts can be harmful to the eyes.

"Anything the size of a quarter or smaller can get in and hurt the eye," he told the news source.

The American Optometric Association says that toys for kids should be age-appropriate and match each individual child's maturity level as well.

Experts say proper safety equipment, such as safety eyeglasses or goggles, is necessary when using chemistry sets, shop tools, BB guns, sleds or other items with potential to cause eye injuries.

If the gift includes the proper eye safety gear, parents will be able to avoid disappointing excited kids during the holidays.

"It is no fun to tell them they can't do something. It's a lot more fun to say 'Go get your safety glasses, and let's blast something!'" Schlomer told the news provider.