Can I Be Blinded By A Nerf® Gun?

Name: Grove City Vision Center
Address: 3636 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio, 43123, United States
Telephone: (614) 875-8373

In the classic movie, A Christmas Story, all little Ralphie Parker wanted was a BB gun for Christmas. "You'll shoot your eye out, kid," was the oft-repeated response by adults throughout the film. And for good reason! But did you know that even Nerf® guns, a supposedly safer alternative to BB guns, have been shown to cause eye injury in some cases?

Nerf Guns and Eye Injuries

An article published in the medical journal BMJ Case Reports had eye care professionals warning that they were seeing many cases of eye injury caused by Nerf guns and similar projectile toys.

The study brings three specific examples of children or adults being injured after being hit in the eye by a dart from a Nerf gun. In all three cases, the patients experienced fuzzy vision and pain, internal bleeding of the eye, and swelling. All three cases eventually regained comfortable, clear vision, but only after prompt intervention from an optometrist or other eye care professional.

Preventing Eye Injuries From Nerf Darts

Hasbro, the popular toy company responsible for manufacturing Nerf guns, stresses that all its products have been thoroughly tested and approved by the proper authorities. This means that, when used correctly, Nerf products are completely safe.

Here are some tips on using the Nerf Gun safely:

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.
Stick to branded darts. Generic replacements may be made of harder materials, making them more likely to damage the eye on impact.
Do not modify your Nerf gun. Modifications can increase the risk of Nerf gun injury.
Wear protective eyewear. Our Grove City eye doctors recommend always wearing safety glasses or goggles when taking part in activities with fast-moving projectiles.

Emergency Eye Care After Injury From A Nerf Gun

Have your eyes or your kids' eyes 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 may indicate that you may be at risk for significant vision loss. If this is your case, seek immediate assistance from an eye care professional.

Give us a call at (614) 875-8373 or visit us in person at Grove City Vision Center. Our Grove City eye doctors know how to help and will do their best to preserve your vision.