1.  Avoid toys that shoot objects.

2.  Avoid toys that are too complex for young children.  Toys should suit the skills, abilities and interests of the individual child.  Remember, a toy that is safe for an 8-year-old may be hazardous for a younger child.

3.  Read labels and instructions carefully before buying.  Look for labels with age recommendations such as “Recommended for children three to five years old.”  Also, use your own judgement in deciding whether a toy is difficult for your child.

4.  Check toys used by children under three for any small parts or broken pieces that children could put in their mouths.

5.  Demonstrate and discuss with children how to use toys properly and safely.

6.  Encourage your child to put away toys so that they are not broken and so that no one trips or slips on them.

7.  Examine toys periodically.  Watch out particularly for sharp edges and points, and sand splintered wooden surfaces.  Repair broken toys and discard toys that cannot be fixed.

8.  Discard plastic wrappings on toys at once, before they become deadly.

The holidays are a time of fun but remember that good eye health is not done by magic!  It starts at home by remembering to protect everyone’s eyes–kids and adults alike!

1. Avoid costumes that block vision:  Masks, wigs and eye patches are fun Halloween accessories, but make sure they don’t block visibility.  Some masks are very dangerous for children because they block their side vision.  A better, safer option is to decorate your child’s face with face paint or make-up.

2.  Use make-up safely:  If you decide to disguise your child with make-up instead of a mask, use hypo-allergenic options and keep it away from the eyes.  It’s a good idea to carry a wet towel or washcloth in case the make-up begins to run while trick-or-treating.  Running around in a costume makes some kids perspire, so a quick clean-up around the eye area may be necessary before the night is over.

3.  Don’t allow sharp objects to be used as props:  Some costumes don’t seem complete without swords or wands.  Still, do not allow your child to carry sharp objects.  Sharp, pointed props endanger your child’s eyes, as well as the eyes of other children.

4.  Follow guidelines for wearing decorative contact lenses:  Older kids often complete their Halloween costumes with spooky cosmetic contact lenses.  Remember that contact lenses are medical devices and require a valid prescription.  Be on the safe side and have your eye doctor fit them on your child.  If not used safely, contact lens use can lead to vision loss.

5.  Carry a flashlight:  Give your child a small flashlight to illuminate dark paths and walkways.  If it is a dark  night, your child will not be able to see holes in yards or missing porch steps.  A flashlight will also make your child more visible to drivers.

6.  Make sure costumes are reflective:  If the costume your child chooses is not made of reflective material, sew on reflective fabric strips or use stick-on stripes of reflective tape.  You want your child to be seen, especially crossing streets in the dark.  Place reflective material on the front, back and sides of your child’s costume.

• Blurred vision
• Poor night vision
• Dry eyes
• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Brown spots on or around the eyes
• Changes in color vision
• Puffy or droopy eyelids
• Watery eyes

Ask the prescribing doctor about the side effects of the medication you are taking, and if you notice any of these symptoms, consult with him or her. A change in dosage or medication may be necessary.

Drugs that may affect your vision include:

• Analgesics
• Antacids
• Antianxiety drugs
• Antibiotics
• Anticoagulants
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants
• Antihypertensives
• Corticosteriods
• Diuretics
• Oral contraceptives

Combining medications can also cause visual side effects. So keep your doctors, including your optometrist, updated on all the
prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking. You can also consult with your pharmacist about drug incompatibilities. When you have your eyes examined, ask your optometrist to send a report to your other doctors so they will be updated on your eye health and vision.
Copyright 1994-1998, American Optometric Association. Licensed to Medical Strategies, Inc. (MSI).

• The need to wear glasses and have periodic lens changes is  normal. The cause is usually presbyopia, an age-related condition involving the gradual loss of lens flexibility inside the eye.

• Be alert for symptoms of eye disease, such as sudden blurred, hazy or distorted vision; frequent headaches; itching, burning, watering eyes; flashes of light or floaters; eye pain or redness; double vision. But see your optometrist annually for an eye health exam because some eye diseases, like glaucoma, don’t have early noticeable symptoms.

• Don’t panic if cataracts are diagnosed. Surgery isn’t necessary until the cataract begins to affect everyday living. Your optometrist can help you determine if and when surgery is needed and refer you to an eye surgeon.

• Jobs and lifestyles often dictate a need for more than one pair of glasses.

• Expect to need more light to see after age 60 and to be bothered a bit by headlight and even indoor glare.

• Remember that medications and health problems, such as diabetes, can affect your eyes.  Keep your optometrist updated on these two areas.

Copyright 1994-1998, American Optometric Association, Licensed to Medical Strategies, Inc. (MSI).

• Reading in dim light will hurt your eyes. Reading or doing other close work in dim light won’t harm your eyes but it does put more stress on them. You may experience headaches or tired, itching, burning or red eyes from using too little light.

• Sitting close to the television screen will harm your eyes. Sitting two or three feet from the television screen won’t hurt your eyes but it can put stress on them. A good viewing distance is about five times the width of the screen. Always sitting close to the television screen can be a sign of nearsightedness.

• You only need an eye exam when you notice problems with your eyes or vision. There are three good reasons everyone needs a thorough eye examination every year or two: 1.To diagnose eye health problems, most of which have no early noticeable symptoms; 2.To diagnose subtle and gradual changes in vision that many people don’t notice; and 3.To help in preventing the development of stress-related vision problems.

• Everyone who has cataracts needs eye surgery. There is no need to rush into cataract surgery. Most cataracts are associated with aging and begin as tiny areas of cloudiness. The majority of them remain small and, with periodic prescriptions lens changes, most people can maintain good vision in spite of them. If a cataract reaches a stage where it interferes with a person’s ability to do the things he or she wants to do, then surgery is recommended.

Copyright 1994-1996, American Optometric Association, Licensed to Medical Strategies, Inc. (MSI).

1. Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days and during the winter.

2. Look for quality sunglasses or contact lenses that offer good protection. Sunglasses or protective contact lenses should block out 99-100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75-90% of visible light.

3. Check to make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections.

4. Purchase gray-colored lenses because they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects to provide the most natural color vision.

5. Don’t forget protection for young children and teenagers who typically spend more time in the sun than adults and thus are at greater risk of damage. Protecting the eyes of everyone in your family is an important task. Remember you can enjoy the summer skies and be safe, too!