“Christmas” accidents to the detriment of the little ones are not that rare. Just think of the ingestion of batteries or small parts of toys, but also of how lights or decorations or pyrotechnics can put children’s eyes at risk. Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but do you know all those glitter on the decorations? If they end up in a child’s eyes, they can cause annoying inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, with symptoms such as pain and temporary reduction of vision. And the twinkling stars? Yes, precisely those sticks that make panettone special at Christmas or a birthday cake. Be careful, because they can cause eye injuries, especially in children who, out of curiosity, hold them too close to their faces. Indeed, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association, they should never be handled by children under 5 years of age and, for older ones, only with the supervision of an adult. In short, do not leave stars, small games and “barrels”, even apparently harmless ones, in the hands of your children without adult supervision.
Not to mention the caps of the sparkling wine of the toast which, as explained by Enrica Ferrazzi, professional mother in the field of communications and founder of the Occhideibimbi project dedicated to children’s eye health and Dr Maria Antonietta Stocchino, “can reach a speed of 80 km /which could cause eye damage so serious that it would require removal of the eyeball.” Be careful, therefore, to cool the sparkling wine well to limit the internal pressure, do not shake the bottle and keep your distance from others, rotate the cork calmly and remove it slowly without ‘shooting’ it and never leave the bottle without the protective cage: the cap could pop off on its own and cause damage.
In short, dangers are around the corner even in the most joyous of home scenarios, Christmas.
As part of the @occhideibimbi project, Dr. Stocchino and Ferrazzi co-wrote the guide “Children’s eyes. Guide to the visual health of our children” with the aim of helping parents learn more about the great topic of vision, from preventive visits to the management of the most common pathologies or small domestic accidents.
“An eye injury should never be underestimated. Don’t hope that the pain or temporary loss of vision will go away on its own: go to the emergency room immediately, preferably an eye doctor. The consequences may not be immediately visible, but may manifest themselves later. Remember that a spark can reach temperatures between 900 and 1600 degrees, sufficient to melt glass or aluminium: a heat comparable to that of a welding torch!”.
Dr. Stocchino then also warns about the dangers of fireworks displays: “From abrasions of the cornea, if the object remains on the ocular surface, to chemical and thermal burns that can damage the eyeball, cause retinal detachments or, in the most serious, loss of vision”. Don’t think that eyeglasses can protect you. Try to maintain a safe distance.
“The Sight Defense Commission has always promoted awareness campaigns for the ocular well-being of children. – says Cavalier Vittorio Tabacchi of the Vista ETS Defense Commission. – Celebrating the holidays safely is essential, especially for the little ones and with the arrival of Christmas, it is important to keep in mind that decorations and pyrotechnics can hide risks for visual health. Simple precautions can avoid serious eye accidents, which sometimes have irreversible consequences. Keeping children under supervision and making families aware of potential dangers are essential steps for a safe and peaceful Christmas.”