Findings of a new study highlight the danger of toy guns.
Shot With Nerf Guns
In a new research published in BMJ Case Reports, eye doctors reported about the cases of three people who suffered from internal bleeding around the eye, blurred vision and pain after they were shot with Nerf guns.
In one case, a 43-year-old woman who was accidentally shot by the toy gun in the eye at close range, reported about her vision immediately going black. It took about 20 minutes before the vision returned. The vision also remained blurry and the woman occasionally saw “flashes of light”.
The woman was taken to the emergency room the next day and learned that she suffered a flattened pupil. It took six months before her sight returned to normal.
A similar incident happened to a 32-year-old man, who was shot in the eye by a child playing with a Nerf gun. He suffered from red eye and blurred vision. An 11-year-old child, who was also shot by a toy gun in his right eye, likewise complained of blurred vision and pain. He also developed swelling in the retina and cornea.
Safety First
The doctors recommended use of protective eye goggles. They also said that the safe age limit for toy guns has to be reviewed. To date, the Nerf guns made by Hasbro are designed for kids who are at least 8 years old.
Hasbro said that its products has been through rigorous reviews and testing to ensure safety but it also advised players not to aim Nerf guns at people’s face or eyes. The packaging of the toy gun comes with recommendation to use only branded bullets that were designed for the product but cheaper versions are also available. Eye experts said that unlabelled bullets tend to be harder and may potentially cause more damage.
Risks Posed By Toy Guns
All three patients were treated with eye drops and luckily had their sight returned to normal after a few weeks. They could have suffered more serious injuries. Doctors said that projectiles such as toy gun bullets travelling at high speeds may cause long-term loss of vision. They can also cause eye scrapes, cataracts, and increased eye pressure.
Eye injuries need to be examined and treated as soon as possible. If you have eye concerns, see a doctor immediately. See Island Eyecare specialists offer comprehensive eye health evaluations. Call or visit us today.