Airgun eye injuries.

Between 1990 and 2012, the incidence of eye injuries associated with nonpowder guns, such as BB, pellet, and paintball guns, surged by 168.8% in the United States, as per a study recently published in the journal Pediatrics. This 23-year analysis revealed that the most frequent sports- and recreation-related eye injuries among children were linked to activities like basketball, baseball, softball, and the use of nonpowder guns.

Dr. Gary Smith, the study’s senior author and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, emphasized the severity and commonality of these injuries. Despite the health benefits of sports participation for children, the study highlights the necessity for enhanced eye protection during certain activities, such as basketball, where eye protection is recommended but not mandatory, and often unpopular among young athletes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for the use of paintball-style protective eyewear glasses meeting safety standards when engaging in activities involving nonpowder guns. Dr. Smith suggests a potential culture change within sports to ensure children are expected to use appropriate eye protection, emphasizing that it can significantly reduce injuries and allow children to remain active in their chosen activities.

The study, utilizing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System on children aged 17 and younger treated for sports- and recreation-related eye injuries, indicated an average of 19,209 children treated annually, with a slight overall decline in eye injury rates. However, eye injuries associated with nonpowder guns, accounting for 11% of cases and nearly half of hospitalizations, surged by almost 170% during the same period.

While the study did not pinpoint the exact reasons for the significant increase in nonpowder-gun-related eye injuries, experts suggest that the rise in air gun sales may contribute to the trend. Dr. Jorge Gomez, a primary sports medicine specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital, notes the increased availability of air guns and the lack of adult supervision in many instances as potential factors.

Adult supervision is crucial in preventing injuries, with the recommendation that children wear protective eye gear when using air guns. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to restrict paintball gun use to insured commercial fields with safety rules. Experts also stress the importance of treating air guns with the same safety considerations as firearms.

A study co-authored by a researcher at Stanford University found a more than 500% increase in hospital admissions among children for severe nonpowder gun eye injuries between 2010 and 2012, indicating a growing concern in recent years. Dr. Gomez underscores the need for constant supervision and eye protection to mitigate these risks, emphasizing that responsible parenting is essential when providing children with air rifles or guns.