Rocks, Paper, Scissors...preventing eye injuries in children

Scissors, knives, pens and glass continue to be the leading causes of preventable eye injuries in children according to the latest research.

Parents need to be particularly vigilant with children to avoid damaging eye injuries.

Kids are curious creatures and often don't understand the risks associated with certain items.

Often the most dangerous objects are everyday household items such as scissors, pens, knives and sticks which are hard to avoid. Boys are more likely to experience eye injuries during childhood.

Boys are three times more likely than girls to suffer injuries to their eyes, particularly between the ages of four and nine years old. However, this is a high risk age group for both girls and boys.

Boys also are at increased risk between the ages of 13 and 15 years old.

Whilst it's impossible to prevent all eye injuries occurring in children, increased parental supervision particularly during high risk age groups and increased awareness of implements that cause injuries is recommended.

It is not just parents that need to be aware of the risks. Family members and friends also need to be educated about items that could unintentionally cause harm to children.

Parents also need to start educating their children at an early age about the dangers associated with certain
items.

Fifty percent of children involved in the study have significant long-term impairment to their vision.