Don't Let an Eye Injury Ruin Your Holiday: 4 Tips for a Safe Season

The holidays are here, and you’re on the move, whether it’s purchasing gifts, decorating, or supervising your children playing with new toys. As your busyness increases, so does the chance of an accident. 

Take a deep breath and slow down as you accomplish holiday tasks. As you’re thinking of gifts for your friends and loved ones, think about safety. Some presents have the capacity to become projectiles that can damage your eyes. 

Our board-certified ophthalmologists at Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, provide expert eye care, including comprehensive eye exams. The following are four tips to help you and your loved ones avoid eye injury during the holidays. 

Purchase protective eyewear as needed if you give sports equipment as a gift

Do your family and friends love sports? If the sports they play include balls, pucks, or sticks, be sure to add protective eyewear to your gift list. Check your equipment and that of your loved ones. Is it worn out? 

If the sport is lacrosse, hockey, or baseball, buy the recommended polycarbonate goggles that protect your eyes from impact with a ball, stick, or other hard surface. If you’re playing paintball, don’t take any chances. You need a full-face goggle, preferably with a dual-pane lens, which includes two hard polycarbonate layers.  

If you’re skiing, the lenses of your goggles may be made of polycarbonate or a patented plastic. Polarized lenses improve your vision in quickly changing light conditions as you ski from shade into sunlight. Ensure your goggles and those of your family feature 100% UV protection.  

Be careful when decorating your tree and house

Don’t let an accident spoil holiday fun. Wear protective goggles when chopping down a live tree. Getting your tree to balance in a tree stand can be difficult; always wear protective eyewear when setting up and decorating your tree. Sharp needles on pines and furs can poke your eye and cause permanent damage. 

Many ornament hangers have sharp ends; choose larger hangers with rounded edges on the ends and keep toddlers away from them. 

Follow age recommendations for toys and supervise children with toys that feature soft projectiles 

If your child or a friend has a toy with a foam projectile, they should wear protective goggles when using these toys. Even if the material is foam, the projectile can cause an eye injury. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Who wants to spend a day of the holidays at a doctor’s office? 

It’s better to avoid BB guns or airsoft guns, as they can cause devastating eye injuries. 

Be sure to check the age recommendation for the toys you purchase. If a child is too young for a toy, they may misuse it and hurt themselves. 

Know how to pop the bubbly safely  

If you’ve never opened a bottle of champagne or other bubbly drink, learn how to do it. A champagne cork that pops from a bottle is moving fast enough to break glass — and damage your eye. 

Remove the foil and wire from the bottle. Aim the bottle away from people and items that can break. Carefully twist the bottle while holding the cork in your hand. Twist the bottle several times, and the cork will pop out in your hand. 

For comprehensive eye care, call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or request an appointment through our online portal today.