The Bedminster Eye & Laser Team wishes you and yours Happy Holidays lit by the warm glow of family and friends! Thank you for entrusting your precious vision and eye health to us.
The Eye Doctor-Approved Holiday Gift Guide
Air guns are a notorious threat to the eyes. But new findings suggest these guns are harming more eyes than ever before. Eye injuries from paintball, pellet, airsoft and BB guns have risen by 50% since 1990 — even as injuries to other body parts become less common. Below is a guide to buying safe toys, as well as information on protective eyewear.
Running out of gift ideas for the kids? Buy your child safe toys that will finally get them off their screens. Here is what eye doctors are keeping in mind as they put together their own holiday shopping lists.
How can you tell which toys are safe for your kids?
Eyes are particularly vulnerable to injuries. And serious injuries to the eye can have life-long effects. Commonly reported injuries from toys include corneal abrasions and ocular hyphema. More severe trauma can lead to retinal detachment, ruptured eyeballs, and even blindness.
The good news is that most eye injuries can be easily prevented by following a few key safety tips:
- Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding, or projectile parts.
- Make sure children are appropriately supervised when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause eye injuries.
- Check the labels of laser products for evidence that the device complies with 21 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations) Subchapter J.
- If you give sports equipment, also give the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.
- Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.
- Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.
Learn more from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
How to Avoid Holiday Eye Hazards
Glitter on pine cones and tinsel on trees; bright snowy hillsides and dry autumn leaves — eye hazards aren’t always easy to spot, but this winter you’ll find them, ready or not. Don’t let holiday eye hazards catch you by surprise! Know what to do if you injure your eyes.
What Happens if You Get Glue or Glitter in the Eye?
In some households, the holidays don’t officially begin until someone’s fingertips are crusted with glitter and glue. If this is your house, wash everyone’s hands thoroughly after crafting to avoid getting glitter in the eyes. Glitter can mix with the tear film and cause irritation. At worst, it can scratch the cornea and even cause an infection.
Don’t rub your eyes or use your fingers to remove the glitter. You might accidentally scrape the glitter against your eye and scratch your cornea. Instead, try using artificial tears, sterile eyewash or a saline solution to flush the glitter out of your eye. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to be seen by a doctor. Consider switching to glasses from contact lenses until the glitter is gone.
Champagne Corks can Hit Your Eye at 50 MPH! Look around at any holiday gathering, and you’re likely to spot at least one reveler directing a champagne cork at themselves or onlookers. This is a big mistake: Corks exit the bottle at speeds of around 50 mph – and if it’s fast enough to shatter glass, imagine what that might do to your eye. The news is full of reports about celebrities and regular people who experienced bleeding, abrasions, glaucoma and permanent vision loss after a cork accident.
If you get hit in the eye with a Champagne cork, there’s no way around it: You’ll need urgent care from an ophthalmologist (call Bedminster Eye for emergency service: 908-781-2020). Not only should you be seen at the time of an injury, but you may need long-term care to prevent permanent vision loss.
Learn more from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Use It or Lose It!
Don’t Forget to Use Your 2023 Vision Plan Benefits by
Dec. 31, as well as FSA/HSA dollars!
Scroll down to see some outstanding styles offered by The Optical Shoppe.
Connect with The Optical Shoppe
(908) 719-2020
Last-Minute Gift Ideas from The Optical Shoppe
Always the perfect size and color! Get a gift certificate in any dollar amount and let your loved one come in to select the great eyewear product that suits him or her best.
Always the perfect size and color! Get a gift certificate in any dollar amount and let your loved one come in to select the great eyewear product that suits him or her best.
Kids need sunglasses too! You are never too young (or too old) for eye protection from UV rays.
Sunglasses for every sport! Get them with the recipient’s eyewear prescription.
RIGHT NOW: WOW!
Valid through December 31st, 2023
Connect with The Optical Shoppe
(908) 719-2020
Our Doctors are Always Here to Help
Scheduled appointments offered 6 days a week and some evenings.
Emergency services available.
Call Now: 908-781-2020
