A study performed at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris showed that pediatric eye injuries associated with the use of nonpowder toy guns are on the increase, and tend to occur at a younger age.

In several cases, injuries were classified as severe and sight-threatening.

The medical records of all cases of nonpowder gun-associated ocular trauma managed in the hospital eye ED between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed.  A total of 304 cases, 234 (77%) of which were male, were identified. The mean age of the patients was 16 years, ranging between 8 days and 74 years. The most frequent toys involved were nonpowder guns with foam bullets in 151 cases (50%), followed by BB or airsoft guns in 110 cases (36%), paintball guns in 31 cases (10%) and unspecified in 12 cases (4%).

An increasing trend in the incidence of these injuries was found over the study period, possibly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean age of patients with foam bullet-associated injuries decreased from 16 years in 2014 to 7 years in 2022.

The reported cases included 2 open-globe injuries, 51 intraocular hemorrhages, 3 traumatic cataracts, 19 retinal injuries, 22 iris injuries, 12 cases of ocular hypertension and 45 corneal lesions.

“Recommendations might prevent many of these unintentional injuries, such as consumer attention to age labeling and consideration of protective goggles, while manufacturers could promote use of safety glasses to protect children’s eyes,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Dentel A, Boulanger E, Vignal-Clermont C, Caputo G, Martin GC. Incidence of Eye Trauma in Children Associated With Foam Bullets or Foam Darts From Nonpowder Guns. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online May 11, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.1464