Nerf guns: Doctors warn over dangers of eye injuries

[Deleted]

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-09-19/n...-eye-injuries/

Doctors have warned of the dangers of Nerf guns - after a spike in eye injuries.

The soft bullets fired from the toy guns can lead to internal bleeding around the eye as well as blurred vision, experts said.

Protective eye goggles should be worn and the age limit for Nerf guns - currently set at eight years old - should be reconsidered, medics suggested.

It comes after A&E doctors at the UK's leading eye hospital treated three patients who suffered internal bleeding from the guns.

The child complained of pain and blurred vision.

He developed swelling of the outer layer of the eye (cornea), and the inner layer of the eye (retina), from the force and speed of the bullet fired by the gun.

A 32-year-old man suffered blurred vision and a red eye after being shot from eight metres away by a child with a Nerf gun

A 43-year-old woman was shot in her right eye from a distance of one metre and complained of blurred vision and a red, sore eye

An 11-year-old child suffered pain, swelling and blurred vision after being shot in his right eye from a distance of two metres

All the patients were examined and given eye drops.

But while there was a good outcome for these patients, experts said the ability of Nerf guns to cause problems was worrying and could lead to long-term vision loss.

"This case series emphasises the seriousness of ocular injury from Nerf gun projectiles and calls into consideration the need for protective eyewear with their use," researchers from Moorfield's Eye Hospital in London said.

"It also calls for reconsideration of the safe age limits for Nerf gun use in children."

The research, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), also pointed out that one patient had told them that non-branded, cheaper bullets that fit Nerf guns are on sale.

Examination of these bullets showed them to be harder than the ones made by Nerf gun manufacturer Hasbro - something parents may not be aware of.

Numerous online videos also show children how to modify their guns to make them shoot harder, faster and further distances.

Medics said that no safe distance for avoidance of significant eye trauma can be established from the cases seen.

A spokeswoman for Hasbro said: "Product safety is of utmost concern at Hasbro.

"Nerf products are designed based on years of consumer insights and research and undergo rigorous reviews and testing to assure that they are safe and fun to play with and meet or exceed global standards and regulations.

"Nerf foam darts and foam rounds are not hazardous when used properly.

"Consumers must never aim Nerf blasters at a person's eyes or face, should only use the foam darts and foam rounds designed for specific Nerf blasters and never modify darts or blasters."

Is there really a solution to this?

[Vargulf the Happy Husky]

Is there really a solution to this?

wear eye protection, or get better reflexes in your face. specifically your eyelids

[Kathandira]

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-09-19/n...-eye-injuries/



Is there really a solution to this?

There has been the same solution for many years already in place. They have a warning on the box that says not to shoot them at people's faces. If you don't heed such a warning, then you may collect your darwin award.

[Orange Joe]

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-09-19/n...-eye-injuries/



Is there really a solution to this?

Solution was mentioned at the beginning? Educate people about wearing eye protection while playing with them. This is no different to how America pushed bicycle helmets for kids in the 90's.

[Vargulf the Happy Husky]

Solution was mentioned at the beginning? Educate people about wearing eye protection while playing with them. This is no different to how America pushed bicycle helmets for kids in the 90's.

and mr yuck for under your kitchen sink!

U MEEMBER?

[Orange Joe]

and mr yuck for under your kitchen sink!

U MEEMBER?

LMAO had to google it, but I MEMBER

[unbound]

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-09-19/n...-eye-injuries/



Is there really a solution to this?

1) Eye protection...simple goggles

2) Education...lots of people think everyone should have guns, so let's teach safety at the beginning

[Deleted]

Solution was mentioned at the beginning? Educate people about wearing eye protection while playing with them. This is no different to how America pushed bicycle helmets for kids in the 90's.

Yeah but kids are still going to shoot people not wearing eye protection because kids... Most likely people not even playing with them

[ParanoiD84]

Eye protection there solved.

[FlatBootyJudy]

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-09-19/n...-eye-injuries/



Is there really a solution to this?

Any projectile could injure an eye, this is nothing new, if parents are that concern they can buy their children goggles. I would consider a baseball more dangerous than a nerf gun.

[lonely zergling]

Its already standard in the airsoft scene to wear goggles (atleast if you are smart enough). Why not extend it to the nerf scene. Parents should force their kids to wear eye protection goggles when playing with nerf guns.

[zubaja]

No wonder my wife wears glasses. Guess I shot her in the face at least one time too many, and I don't even own a Nerfgun.

But on a more serious note:
If there are rules and guidelines for products and these are not adhered to, then the consumer is at fault, not the company producing said product.
Kids, however, will be kids. Some are little Angels; polite, listening to the rules. Others are demons incarnate; they don't care if you get eye injuries, they just want to have by shooting rubber darts in your face.

I guess you could say it's complicated when it comes to thinking of a solution.

[Machismo]

The newer Nerf guns are no fucking joke. They give you welts, and feel almost as bad as getting hit by a paintball gun.

[Deleted]

Perhaps goggles / glasses should be sold with each gun. Let's be honest a kid isn't going to want to wait

[Deleted]

Solution? Don't be retard and don't aim to the face. At least it was like this when I was a kid. No warning needed.

[Frogguh]

The newer Nerf guns are no fucking joke. They give you welts, and feel almost as bad as getting hit by a paintball gun.

Sounds like some good indoor warfare then. Nothing like the thought of a paintball bouncing off your head or a nipple to get the adrenaline pumping.

[lonely zergling]

I attend big airsoft battle events and its required to have goggles with you. Even the airsoft guns for kids (<0.5 joule) have enough power to damage your eye imagine a adult weapon 0.75-7 joule hitting you in the eye.

I imagine that nerf guns are equal to kids airsoft weapons so its reasonable to wear goggles. They may not destroy your eye but still hurt it.

[Machismo]

Sounds like some good indoor warfare then. Nothing like the thought of a paintball bouncing off your head or a nipple to get the adrenaline pumping.

Man, I remember getting hit with one in the bridge of my nose, that hurt so damn bad (and broke my nose). We used to use Gobstoppers, or freeze the paintballs when we wanted to be real jerks to each other.

[draynay]

Better play it safe and just stick with the Nerf crotch bat.

[noidentity]

Is there really a solution to this?

Yes

Protective eye goggles should be worn and the age limit for Nerf guns - currently set at eight years old - should be reconsidered, medics suggested.

Perhaps goggles / glasses should be sold with each gun. Let's be honest a kid isn't going to want to wait

Or perhaps whomever is buying kids this product should also by the eye protection for the kids.