Can I Be Blinded By A Nerf® Gun?

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? Though injuries resulting in total blindness are incredibly rare, the rise in eye injuries from Nerf gun darts in recent years is quite troubling.

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 examined three specific cases 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 eye care professional.

Preventing Eye Injuries From Nerf Darts

Hasboro, the manufacturer of Nerf guns, stresses that all its products have been thoroughly tested and approved. 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. This is especially true at close range.
• 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 injury.
• Wear protective eyewear. Our Gahanna eye doctors recommend always wearing safety glasses or goggles when taking part in activities with fast-moving projectiles. Wearing eye protection can massively reduce the chances of eye injury and vision loss.

Emergency Eye Care After Injury

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 or starbursts 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) 476-2015 or visit us in person at Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna. Our Gahanna eye doctors know how to help and will do their best to preserve your vision.

Q&A

How do I know if my eye is damaged by a Nerf dart? If you've been hit in the eye, look for: blood spots in your eye indicating active bleeding, seeing black spots in your vision or flashes of light, painful vision, or blurry or fizzy vision. These symptoms can indicate a potential emergency, such as a detached retina. You should seek immediate medical attention.

How do optometrists treat damage from Nerf darts and other flying objects? Your eye doctor will take a thorough look at your eye and ask about your symptoms to discover exactly where and how thorough the damage to the eye is. They may administer eye drops to prevent build-up of inner eye pressure, refer you to an ophthalmologist, or choose another course of treatment. Your eye doctor will likely ask you to come in for follow-up visits to make sure your eyes are healing properly.