Toy related ocular injuries in US children
Reviewed by Su Young

This cross-sectional study using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Study (NEISS) included 1439 patients who visited emergency departments over a five-year period from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, with toy-related ocular injuries. Males were disproportionately affected, comprising 67.5% of cases (p<0.001), indicating potential gender-specific risk factors. The average age of injury was 6.67  ±4.36 years, with the highest incidence in the 2–5 years age group, which accounted for 27.2% of all injuries. Most injuries were classified as minor anterior segment injuries (73.7%), with common types including corneal abrasions and subconjunctival haemorrhage. Posterior segment injuries included eight cases of globe rupture. Major anterior segment injuries, such as hyphema, were particularly linked to toy guns and darts, highlighting the specific risks posed by these toys. This underscores the need for targeted safety interventions and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing ocular injuries, especially among young children, who are most vulnerable to such traumas. These findings emphasise the importance of addressing the hazards associated with toys in order to protect children’s visual health.

Pediatric toy-related ocular injuries in the United States: a national electronic injury surveillance system study.
Rachapudi S, Kaleem M.
SEMINARS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
2024 [ePub ahead of print].