Practicing eye safety during Halloween can prevent problems like eye infections or injuries. The American Academy of Opthalmology celebrates Halloween Safety Month each October to raise awareness about these threats to eye health and help you enjoy Halloween without any real-life scares.

Keep reading to learn more about 4 tips to follow during Halloween Safety Month.

How to Keep Your Eyes Safe This Halloween

Although putting together a costume can be one of the most exciting parts of Halloween, it can turn dangerous if you don’t practice proper eye safety and hygiene. Here are 4 tips that you can follow this Halloween to ensure your night is all treats and no tricks:

1. Avoid Costume Contacts

Wearing colored contacts can be a dramatic addition to a Halloween costume, but they are not a safe choice for your eyes. Unlike contact lenses prescribed by your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest, costume contacts are not fitted to your eyes.

When contacts don’t sit properly on the surface of the eyes, they can cause corneal abrasions or corneal ulcers. Costume contacts can also lead to eye infections, often because of insufficient cleaning and disinfecting.

If you want colored contacts for a costume, talk to your eye doctor about safe options. They can help you find a pair of contacts made by a trusted brand so you can enjoy your night with style and safety.

2. Practice Good Eye Make-Up Safety

Make-up is a great way to enhance a Halloween look, but you should ensure your products are safe to use. Many types of make-up expire after only a few months, and old make-up can harbor harmful bacteria.

Using make-up you bought several Halloweens ago could put you at risk for an eye infection. It’s best to buy new cosmetics for the occasion and enjoy a fresher and safer look.

You should also stay away from anything with glitter or metallic powders that could flake off into your eyes. General make-up hygiene applies on Halloween as well.

Don’t share make-up or brushes with others, and wash off all traces of make-up before bed!

3. Be Smart About False Lashes

False eyelashes and lash extensions are popular at Halloween. They can be perfectly safe any day of the year if you follow safe application and removal instructions. 

Before applying false lashes, do a skin test to ensure you don’t have an allergy to the glue. Apply and remove them according to the package instructions, and don’t leave them on longer than recommended.

Take them off immediately if they start to bother your eyes. If you choose eyelash extensions, visit an experienced aesthetician at a licensed salon or spa facility to have them applied.

With the right precautions, you can still look your best while keeping your eyes safe!

4. Wear Masks Safely

Masks are usually safe but can affect your vision while wearing them. Make sure you can see well enough to walk around before wearing a mask outside.

Masks or eye patches covering one eye will affect your depth perception, increasing your risk of tripping or falling. If you can’t wear your glasses under a mask, limit the amount of time you keep it on so you don’t have headaches or eye strain from going without your glasses. 

Never wear a mask while driving, as it can limit peripheral vision and put you at risk of auto accidents.  Wait until you get to the Halloween party to show off your amazing costume to help keep you and others safe on the road.

Do you want to learn more about protecting your eyes this Halloween? Schedule an appointment with EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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Many conditions and eye injuries can affect the cornea, which is the outermost layer of the eye. The cornea is vital for clear vision, meaning it’s essential to learn about common corneal conditions, their risk factors, and the symptoms associated with them.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common cornea conditions.

What Is the Cornea?

The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye. It protects the eye from germs, particles, dirt, and debris.

Light passes through the cornea and the lens to reach the retina, which transmits information to the brain via your optic nerve. This makes it critical to your vision.

The cornea is susceptible to injury or infection. Medical conditions and genetic disorders can also affect corneal health.

What are the Most Common Corneal Conditions?

There are many conditions and injuries that can affect the cornea, including:

Corneal Abrasion

Corneal abrasions are wounds to the cornea. They can happen due to a scratch from a fingernail or a foreign body getting in your eye.

Corneal abrasions can cause blurred vision, eye pain, and watering. They usually heal with time and the use of artificial tears to ease discomfort.

You may need prescription eye drops if the abrasion becomes infected.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome, or dry eye, is chronic dryness of the eye due to insufficient tears or poor quality of tears. Patients with dry eyes can be more vulnerable to corneal abrasions or infections.

Artificial tears or prescription eye drops can reduce symptoms of dry eye. EyeHealth Northwest also offers LipiFlow, a state-of-the-art treatment that can improve meibomian gland dysfunction, the leading cause of dry eye.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea. It can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

This is sometimes called a corneal ulcer. Eye injuries can also result in keratitis.

Symptoms include pain, redness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, and difficulty opening your eye.

Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest can help determine the cause of your keratitis and recommend appropriate treatment. You may need medicated eye drops to clear up an infection.

Corneal Ectasia

Corneal ectasia refers to a group of conditions that affect the shape of your cornea. This can affect how light is focused on the retina and cause vision problems.

The most common type of cornea ectasia is keratoconus, which causes the cornea to take on a conical shape. It can be treated with corrective lenses or surgery.

EyeHealth Northwest offers Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses to help correct distorted vision or cornea transplantation in severe cases.

Corneal Dystrophy

Corneal dystrophies are genetic disorders that cause abnormal deposits of proteins, fluid, or other materials on the cornea. Fuchs’ dystrophy is the most common type of corneal dystrophy.

It occurs when the number of cells in the cornea is so low that the remaining cells swell and cause changes to the cornea. Symptoms include glare and light sensitivity, as well as blurry vision in the morning as the condition develops.

Your eye doctor can treat it with prescription eye drops to reduce corneal swelling. If the condition progresses to the point that it is significantly impairing your vision, they may recommend a corneal transplant.

Do you want to stay on top of your eye health, or do you think you may have a corneal condition? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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Protecting your eyes from UV rays can preserve healthy vision and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Keep reading to learn more about UV Safety Month and how awareness can help your eyes stay healthy.

What is UV Light?

UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that makes up the light from the sun. There are three wavelengths of UV light, two of which are prevalent in the light that shines on us every day. 

UVA

UVA is the wavelength responsible for increasing the effects of aging, such as wrinkles and sunspots.

UVB

UVB emits slightly more energy than UVA and can damage your DNA directly. UVB is responsible for sunburns and most UV-related cancers. 

How Can UV Exposure Affect Eye Health?

Both UVA and UVB wavelengths can penetrate the tissue of the eyes, causing damage to the delicate structures of the eyeball and the skin around the eyes. Too much exposure to UV light can accelerate age-related eye problems and increase the risk of certain cancers. 

Cataracts

Cataracts are very common, especially in older adults. They occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded and affects vision.

Excessive UV exposure can speed the progression of cataracts, causing the effects to be noticeable sooner. However, cataract surgery is the only way to effectively treat cataracts permanently.

Cancer

UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. The skin around the eyes is thin, delicate, and prone to sun damage. Skin cancers on the eyelid or near the eye must be surgically removed.

Growths on the Eye

People who spend a lot of time in the sun without UV protection are at increased risk for growths in the eye, such as pterygium or pinguecula.

Pterygium, also called surfer’s eye growth, extends from the white of the eye to the clear tissue called the cornea, which covers the iris and pupil. Pinguecula is a protein and fat deposit that appears in the white part of the eye. They can cause irritation and discomfort, and may need to be surgically removed.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition where the macula, an area in the center of the eye, becomes damaged over time. Some research suggests that excessive UV exposure can increase the risk of macular degeneration. 

How to Protect Eyes from UV Exposure

During UV Awareness Month and all year long, we encourage you to take common-sense safety precautions to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. These include:

Wearing Sunglasses

One of the easiest ways to protect your eyes is by wearing sunglasses. Look for lenses that filter out both UVA and UVA rays. If you have questions about the best kind of sunglasses for your needs, ask your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest for recommendations. 

Staying in the Shade

Avoiding direct sunlight can help reduce the amount of time you are exposed to UV rays. Sitting in shady areas or wearing a hat with a brim can shield your face and eyes from the sun.

Applying Sunscreen

Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, including the skin around your eyes. A formula without fragrances may be more gentle on the sensitive skin of your eyelids. Put sunscreen on every time you go outdoors, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or strenuous activity. 

Do you want to learn more about protecting your eyes from the sun? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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The procedure can restore vision, reduce eye pain, and improve quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about corneal transplants, including what happens during the procedure!

What is Corneal Transplant Surgery?

During a corneal transplant, your eye doctor will remove a section of your cornea and replace it with donor tissue. All donors agree to organ donation during their lives and give the gift of possible renewed sight to another.

During the corneal transplant surgery, your eye doctor will use specialized tools to carefully remove the affected portion of your cornea. Then, they will place the donor tissue onto the transplant site.

What Types of Corneal Transplant Surgery Are There?

Depending on your particular needs, you will have one of two types of corneal transplant procedure:

Full Thickness

The cornea has six layers of tissue. In a full-thickness corneal transplant, your eye doctor makes an incision through all of the layers to remove a section of the cornea.

The entire section is then replaced with donor tissue. With a full-thickness transplant, your eye doctor will use tiny sutures to attach the new tissue.

Partial Thickness

Your eye doctor may determine that you only need certain layers of your cornea replaced. Partial thickness surgery can remove either the back layers of the cornea or the layers at the surface.

Your eye doctor then places the corresponding donor tissue where it is needed. Partial thickness transplants have a lower risk of side effects such as donor tissue rejection. 

If you have a transplant of the outer layer, your eye doctor will need to attach the new tissue with sutures. That may not be necessary if the transplant is for the inner layers. 

Your eye doctor will discuss your anesthesia options with you so you understand what is necessary. It’s important to follow directions about eating, drinking, or taking medicine before surgery.

The corneal transplant procedure usually takes about two hours. You will be able to go home the same day once, but you will need someone to drive you home. 

What is the Recovery Like After Corneal Transplant Surgery?

After corneal transplant surgery, you will need to wear an eye shield to protect your eyes. Your eye doctor will tell you how long to wear it and any other precautions you need to take during your recovery period.

You will also need to take any medications or eye drops that your eye doctor prescribes to reduce the risk of infection or other complications. Recovery from a corneal transplant takes several weeks.

Following the recovery instructions from your eye doctor will ensure that your recover as quickly and safely as possible. You will also need to return to your eye doctor’s office for regular visits during the months after the procedure to ensure your new cornea is healthy.

Do you want to learn more about corneal transplants or want help getting to the bottom of your vision issues? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post What Happens During a Cornea Transplant? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, there were over 10,000 emergency room visits for firework-related injuries in 2022. 16% of those injuries involved the eyes.

The vast majority of fireworks injuries happen around July 4th. If you’re planning to set off fireworks this summer, follow a few safety precautions to make sure your eyes stay safe.

Keep reading to learn seven tips to keep your eyes safe during Fireworks Eye Safety Month!

Only Use Fireworks Labeled For Consumer Use

Professional fireworks contain more explosive materials than the ones for consumer use. You should not attempt to buy or use professional fireworks if you don’t have the requisite training.

Follow the Directions on the Fireworks

Carefully read the safety guidelines for any type of consumer fireworks. Make sure you understand how the firework will ignite and follow the correct steps to minimize the risk of injury.

If a firework doesn’t explode, don’t touch it. They should be thoroughly saturated with water and disposed of according to local regulations. 

Use Protective Eyewear

Wearing safety goggles or safety glasses can protect your eyes from sparks or debris. Choose eyewear that wraps around the side of your face for optimal protection. 

Keep a Bucket of Water Nearby While Setting off Fireworks

Have water nearby whenever you use fireworks. A bucket of water can be a safe repository if you need to quickly drop a hot item.

You can also use water to quickly cool burns. Have a fire extinguisher handy to put out flames. 

Only Adults Should Handle Fireworks

There are no fireworks that are safe for kids to set off. Even sparklers can get so hot that children injure themselves or drop them.

Children should never handle fireworks. 

Keep a Safe Distance

Even if you are only watching, keep back from any fireworks as they’re being set off. Popular consumer fireworks like bottle rockets can veer off course and injure bystanders.

Stay a safe distance back and consider wearing protective eyewear.

Learn First Aid for Eyes

If you do experience an eye injury, call 911 or go to the hospital. You should also know the best practices for treating it:

• Do not rub your eyes
• Do not rinse your eyes
• Do not apply pressure
• Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye
• Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen unless directed by a doctor

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to the professionals! Watching a fireworks display with friends and family is a great way to get your fireworks fix.

You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. 

Take care of your eyes on the Fourth of July and all year long by getting regular eye exams.  Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post Follow These 7 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe During Fireworks Eye Safety Month appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Whether you’re working with hazardous materials that could injure your eyes or focusing on a computer screen for long hours, there are steps you can take to protect your eyes. Simple eye safety practices can ensure clearer vision for years to come. 

Keep reading to learn how to protect your eyes during Workplace Eye Wellness Month!

Eye Safety Practices

Protective Eyewear

If you work in any profession involving a risk of debris or chemicals coming near your face, you should wear protective eyewear. Ideally, choose goggles or glasses that have side coverage. 

Protection from all directions reduces the likelihood of debris injuring your eyes. Full face coverage, including side protection, is crucial if you work with chemicals or biohazards. 

If you work with materials in high heat, such as welding, wear approved face protection for those activities. Most high-heat eye protection can be worn over glasses or contacts. 

Eyewash Stations

Eyewash stations are common in workplaces where there is a risk of exposure to chemicals or gases. If your workplace has eyewash stations, you should familiarize yourself with the best practices for using them. 

Many eyewash stations look like sinks or water fountains that emit a stream of tepid water to flush harmful materials from the eye. If there isn’t a permanent eyewash station, your workplace might have bottles of sterile eyewash that can be applied to the eyes like eyedrops. 

It is critical to keep eyewash stations and supplies well-maintained. Your workplace should test the stations periodically to ensure their effectiveness when needed. 

UV Protection

If you work outdoors, protecting your eyes from UV rays is essential. Wearing sunglasses that provide UV protection can reduce glare, making it easier to see and lowering the risk of accidents. 

UV exposure can increase the risk of vision problems related to cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. While these conditions may not be preventable, protecting eyes from UV rays may slow their progression. 

Screen Safety

Extended screen time can lead to eye strain, dryness, and discomfort. Taking regular breaks from looking at screens can give your eyes a much-needed rest. 

Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. In addition, remember to blink while working on a screen.

People often blink less frequently when working on computers, which makes their eyes feel dry or gritty. Adjusting screen brightness can also reduce eye strain. 

See Your Eye Doctor

Regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, are the most critical factor for keeping your eyes healthy. During eye exams, your eye doctor can check your vision, prescribe the right visual aids, and examine your eyes for potential health issues. 

Your eye doctor is also a valuable resource for eye safety. They can help you identify what protective equipment or workplace habits will best protect your eyes. If you have eye pain, changes to your vision, or sustain an eye injury, see your eye doctor right away. 

Are you doing enough to protect your eyes? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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You may see two sets of headlights when you’re driving at night, or others may recognize that one of your eyes is not aligned properly. Keep reading to learn more about strabismus and if adults can develop strabismus!

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus occurs when the eyes do not align properly. Strabismus often causes one eye to appear to be looking in another direction. 

For example, one eye may look straight ahead while the other eye turns in, out, up, or down. Since both eyes must aim at the same spot together to see properly, strabismus impacts your vision.

Strabismus is usually related to a problem in the eye muscles, which must be balanced and working together. 

What Causes Strabismus?

Strabismus is usually related to an issue with your eye muscles. To focus and coordinate the vision, eye muscles must be balanced and work together to position the eyes appropriately.

Most adults with strabismus have had it since childhood, but others develop it later in life. Often, as the eye ages, the muscles don’t function properly, or they weaken. 

For adults who’ve had strabismus as children, the condition can reappear.

Certain health conditions increase the risk of strabismus, particularly those affecting circulation or neurological function. 

Possible causes of strabismus in adults include:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid diseases such as Graves’ disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Brain tumors
• Strokes or mini-strokes
• Accidents or head injury
• Damage to eye muscles during eye surgery

What Are the Symptoms of Strabismus?

These may be consistent or may worsen or lessen depending on specific activities. It may only happen when you’re looking in one direction or another. 

You may not realize that you tilt your head to see better or shut one eye to see more clearly. Some common symptoms of strabismus are double vision, blurry vision, difficulty reading, or a loss of depth perception. 

The onset can be sudden or gradual, and distortion may occasionally occur or only in specific situations. You may also feel like your eye muscles are weak and have the sensation of something pulling around your eyes.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your eye doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Are There Different Types of Strabismus?

It’s estimated that four percent of American adults will experience strabismus in their lifetimes. There are four types, and they describe the misalignment of the eyes:

Esotropia: one eye deviates inward

Exotropia: one eye deviates outward

Hypertropia: one eye deviates upward

Hypotropia: one eye deviates downward

How Do Eye Doctors Treat Strabismus?

The best treatment options for strabismus will depend on the severity of the condition. For those with mild strabismus, a special glasses prescription using prisms can help to realign the eyes.

In more severe cases, surgery can improve alignment, depending on the type of strabismus. Surprisingly, though long regarded as a condition affecting mostly young children, strabismus is also common among adults. 

If symptoms or changes in vision affect your ability to do tasks you’ve always done easily, talk to your eye doctor about what you’re experiencing. Treatment can improve your daily life and make a significant difference in your quality of vision.

Are you experiencing changes in your vision or double vision? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!

The post Can Adults Develop Strabismus? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

You may wonder how often you should schedule these appointments. The answer depends on the individual, their age, genetic factors, and whether or not blurry vision due to refractive errors is present. 

Keep reading to learn more about how often you should schedule an appointment to see your eye doctor!

Eye Exams for Children

Early vision screening is performed during standard checkups if no vision problems are present at birth. 

If and when it’s indicated, children should have a comprehensive eye exam if there are concerns related to their vision. 

Newborn to Toddler

In the hospital, every infant is checked for basic indicators of eye health. 

Well-child visits with a pediatrician are scheduled between the ages of six and twelve months, and at that time, the eyes will be examined. 

Between twelve and thirty-six months, the pediatrician will again look for signs that your child has healthy eye development. In the event of a problem, your child will be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. 

Toddler to School Age

Vision and eye alignment should be checked in every child between three and five years of age. This can be done by a pediatrician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. 

Visual acuity and alignment screening should be scheduled at age five. At that point, a child can identify numbers and letters and read an eye chart, making the diagnosis of problems easier. 

5 Years and Older

Children age five and older should have an eye exam every couple of years unless they have a refractive error. If they have a refractive error, like nearsightedness, they should visit their eye doctor more frequently to ensure their prescription is up to date.

Eye Exams for Adults

If you don’t have a refractive error such as astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia, and there are no other health issues, you can follow these guidelines.

In Your 20s and 30s

Adults starting at age twenty should have a baseline eye exam at some point in their twenties. One appointment is typically enough if no vision problems are diagnosed. 

Schedule another one when you reach your thirties. During that decade, two eye exams are recommended.

However, if any vision or eye problems occur, such as an infection, injury, eye pain, or if you see sudden floaters or flashes of light, schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately. These could be signs of serious eye conditions. 

A family history of eye disease or diabetes will require a schedule of routine checkups to stay on top of healthy vision. If this is part of your health history, let your doctor know. 

In Your 40s to Age 54

Get a complete eye examination by the time you turn forty. At this time, changes in vision or early signs of disease often appear. 

An early diagnosis means treatment can begin right after the onset of symptoms. Save your sight by responding immediately to any concerns. Don’t let vision problems develop or worsen. 

Diabetes, a family history of eye disease, and high blood pressure require regular monitoring, including regular comprehensive eye exams. Otherwise healthy adults in their forties up to age fifty-four can schedule eye exams every two to four years. 

At fifty-five, schedule one every one to three years, depending on your eye doctor’s recommendation.

At Age 65 and Older

Have your eyes checked annually. Age increases the risk for cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. 

Is it time for you or your child to have a comprehensive eye exam? Schedule an appointment at Eyehealth Northwest in Happy Valley, OR, today!

The post How Often Should I Schedule Appointments to See My Eye Doctor? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Understanding the Cornea

The cornea helps you to see by focusing light onto your retina to form an image. In a normal eye, the cornea is domelike and curved. 

But with keratoconus, the cornea bulges out into a shape that’s more like a cone. This abnormal bulging also thins the cornea. 

The normal domed shape of the healthy cornea focuses light. The abnormal cone shape caused by keratoconus distorts the light rays, so they don’t land properly on the retina. Distorted, blurry vision is the result. 

With poor focus, everyday tasks like reading and driving become more challenging.

What Causes keratoconus? 

Researchers are still determining the cause of keratoconus, although there is a hereditary component. It’s also associated with eye allergies, excessive eye rubbing, hay fever and asthma, and disorders of the connective tissue such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 

Keratoconus appears in children and young adults between the ages of ten and twenty-five. The condition progresses slowly over ten or twenty years and then slows or may even stop. It often affects both eyes, though the results in each eye are different and create different visual symptoms. 

What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus? 

At the beginning of keratoconus, symptoms include mild blurred vision and a slight distortion of vision. Straight lines may look wavy or bent. 

You may also experience greater sensitivity to light and glare, which can make night driving difficult. Symptoms can change or grow worse over time.  

Later-stage keratoconus includes increased nearsightedness or astigmatism, progressing to the point where you’ll need new eyeglass prescriptions frequently. 

What Are the Treatments for Keratoconus?

The blurry vision associated with early-stage keratoconus can often be corrected with glasses. You may not experience 20/20 vision, but your vision will be sharp enough for everyday activities. 

As the symptoms worsen, your eye doctor may recommend specialized contact lenses designed for keratoconus. At EyeHealth Northwest, we recommend a type of hard contact lens to our keratoconus patients needing vision correction called a rigid gas permeable contact lens.

This type of contact lens can be worn to correct distorted vision. They are more effective at bringing vision closer to normal. 

However, there may come a time when wearing contact lenses is no longer possible. In advanced stages of the eye condition, the cornea may bulge too much that it causes contact lenses not to fit correctly. This can cause discomfort.

Corneal Transplant for Keratoconus

When glasses and contacts aren’t sufficient to correct vision, corneal transplant surgery may be necessary. A corneal transplant is only necessary for ten to twenty percent of patients with keratoconus. 

During a corneal transplant, the distorted cornea is removed and replaced with a healthy donor cornea. Of all conditions requiring corneal transplants, keratoconus has the best prognosis for clear vision.

Start With an Eye Exam

If you’re experiencing symptoms of keratoconus, a comprehensive eye exam will identify any irregularities in your cornea. Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest will be able to measure the curvature of your cornea to make a determination, then will discuss options with you to help you decide on what treatment plan will work best for you.

Are you experiencing symptoms of keratoconus? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!

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There are many opportunities for eye injuries in adults during the holiday season as well. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has named December Safe Toys and Celebrations Month to help educate people on this topic and prevent eye injury.

Keep reading to learn more about Safe Toys and Celebrations Month!

Safe Celebrations in December

December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to help you make the right choice when choosing holiday gifts for young people. If you’re giving gifts of champagne or other effervescent fermented beverages or plan on opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate the New Year, it’s best to learn some tips on how to stay safe. 

Why The Eye is Vulnerable to Injuries

The soft, sensitive, and delicate tissue of the eye means that the slightest damage can have long-lasting impact. Injuries to the eye, especially in children, can affect vision for life. 

Toys can frequently cause corneal abrasions and ocular hyphema, the medical term for bleeding inside the eye. Serious trauma can result in retinal detachment, ruptured eyeballs, and blindness. 

Making the Sight-Saving Choice

The easiest way to prevent toy-related eye injuries is to choose safe toys that can’t hurt your child. These safety tips can steer you in the right direction:

Avoid Sharp Objects

Don’t buy toys with sharp protruding parts or toys which release projectiles. This includes crossbows, BB guns, Airsoft, paintball, and other guns.

Supervision

Supervise children whenever they play with toys or games that could lead to eye injuries.

Choose Safe Laser Products

If you’re giving any type of laser product, look for a label that shows the device complies with 21 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations) Subchapter J.

Use Protective Eyewear

When giving sports equipment, be sure to include appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.

Buy Age-Appropriate Gifts

Toys are frequently labeled with age recommendations, and it’s best to follow this guidance. Always take into account the child you’re buying for: are they mature enough and responsible enough to use the toy or materials with care?

Don’t give younger children toys meant for older children, and don’t let them play with toys intended for older kids.

Safely Opening a Bottle of Bubbly

Champagne is what many of us break out for celebrations and special occasions. But if you’ve ever tried to uncork a bottle, you know the contents are held under pressure and that the cork can really fly.

A champagne cork can reach speeds of 50 mph and has enough force to shatter glass. A cork that slams into an eye can cause corneal abrasions, ocular hyphema, and even glaucoma. 

To safely uncork a bottle of champagne, follow these three rules:

1. Chill the Bottle

Champagne bubbles are filled with gas that expands when warm. If you open up a cold bottle, it’s safer to handle.

2. Don’t Shake or Point the Bottle at Anyone

Hold it at a 45-degree angle with the bottle base slightly lower than the neck. Point it away from anyone nearby.

3. Use a Towel and Press Down on the Cork. 

Remove the foil and the wire cage that holds the cork on. Cover the cork with a towel and press down, turning the bottle in your hands while holding the cork still. 

The pressure from the bottle will push the cork out. Keep your hand on the towel-covered cork, and press against it so it doesn’t fly off. 

You can still have fun this holiday season, but take precautions when it comes to preserving your visual health. The gift of sight is one thing money can’t buy!

Do you want to learn more ways to keep your and your loved one’s eyes safe this season? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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