Nerf® guns are a popular toy for children. While injuries resulting in total blindness are incredibly rare, the rise in eye injuries from Nerf gun darts in recent years is concerning. An article published in the medical journal BMJ Case Reports warned that eye care professionals were seeing increasing cases of eye injury caused by Nerf guns and similar projectile toys.

Preventing Eye Injuries From Nerf Darts

Hasboro, the company responsible for manufacturing Nerf guns, stresses that all its products have been thoroughly tested and approved by the proper authorities. When used correctly, Nerf products are safe. Here are some tips for safe use:

• Follow the age recommendations. These products are meant for children ages 8 and up.
• Aim below the face. Nerf guns should never be aimed directly at the face, especially at close range.
• Stick to branded darts. Generic replacement darts may be made of harder materials, making them more likely to cause eye damage on impact.
• Do not modify your Nerf gun. Modifications that make the gun shoot faster or harder can increase the risk of injury.
• Wear protective eyewear. Our eye doctors recommend always wearing safety glasses or goggles when participating in activities with fast-moving projectiles. Even when carefully following all safety recommendations, accidents can happen, and wearing eye protection can massively reduce the chances of eye injury and vision loss.

Emergency Eye Care After Injury From a Nerf Gun

If your child's eyes have been hit by a Nerf dart or any flying object, pain or discomfort in or around the eye, blurry or double vision, or seeing black spots or starbursts may indicate a risk of significant vision loss. If this occurs, seek immediate assistance from an eye care professional.

Give us a call at (937) 228-2020 or visit us in person at Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio. Our eye doctors will do their best to preserve your vision.