When it comes to kids and eye safety, there's always something. Now, a recent study published in has revealed that since 2012, more than 1,200 three- and four-year-olds experienced chemical burns to the eye from laundry detergent packets鈥攁 30-fold increase between then and 2015.
The danger happens when kids pick up the tempting, brightly colored pods and pop them. The chemicals inside can cause serious burns to the cornea (the clear covering of the front of the eye), eyelids, and skin around the eyes. Chemical burns can result in a lifetime of decreased vision or even total blindness. If children swallow the packets, the poisoning can be fatal.
The hazard is so prevalent that the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Medical Association have teamed up to help. They are asking the Consumer Product safety Commission and the American Association of Poison Control centers to review current voluntary manufacturer standards for laundry packets.
More Cautionary Tales
Bill Barlow, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Moran Eye Center at 麻豆学生精品版 notes that "We tend to think of construction sites or paintball parties as places where we're likely to end up with an eye injury, but in addition to laundry detergent packets, plenty of dangers lurk around our homes."
How Some People End Up as Patients
- Chemicals in liquid cleaning solvents can be toxic to any mucous membranes, including the surface of the eye. Think bleach, ammonia, oven cleaner, toilet bowl cleaners, for instance. Use them only in areas with good ventilation, and if you think there's going to be splashing or spraying, be prepared with protective eyewear.
- Frying with grease or oil? Just one splatter in the eye can cause a significant burn. Protective goggles can protect your eyes from burns and from the volatile oils in ingredients such as onions and hot peppers that can irritate sensitive eyes.
- Mowing the lawn (a mower brings together the scary combination of an extremely hot engine and sharp metal blades that can spin at 3,000 rotations per minute), trimming hedges, chopping wood, and hammering on hard objects can all present unexpected hazards in the form of
High-velocity projectiles from debris. Make it a habit to wear eye protection and to keep the kids at a safe distance.
- Soft pellets from "Nerf Guns" might seem harmless, but when shot a high velocity, they can cause significant blunt trauma injury to the eyes. Again, protective eyewear is a great idea.
- You've seen the videos online. Things can go very wrong with a curling iron鈥攊ncluding poking or burning an eye. Of course you wouldn't wear protective eyewear while curling your hair, but don't rush it and, though you'd think people would know better鈥攄on't multi-task while wielding a burning hot metal rod.
What to Do if It Happens to Your Kid
"If you are struck by a high velocity object, get in to be seen by a trained ophthalmologist as soon as possible," advises Barlow. "Do NOT rub, pull, flush or rinse, as water could introduce infection. If it's a significant hit, take something like a paper cup, cut out the edge and just tape it gently over the eye to protect it from getting bumped."
What about a scratch to the eye? Maybe you can still open your eye, but it hurts? "In this case," says Barlow, "it's the same advice. Get evaluated by a trained ophthalmologist as soon as possible. There is the risk of developing an infection or other problems鈥攅specially if it's vegetable matter, like something that came out of the lawn. You will likely need treatment to avoid further injury or infection."
If you get chemicals in your eye, rinse and flush to neutralize the substance as much as possible, and as with any other injury, get into see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
