Nerf guns are a blast but could cause eye damage, say experts
DOCTORS have warned that Nerf guns – a Christmas must-have toy – might cause irreversible eye damage.
Experts from the UK’S leading eye hospital said the ‘bullets’ – foam darts, discs or, in some cases, foam balls – could lead to internal bleeding around the eye as well as blurred vision.
And they warned that children were increasingly watching Youtube videos advising them how to ‘soup up’ the toys, showing them how to make them shoot even harder, faster and further.
‘Risk of an eye injury with the darts comes from the fact that a projectile can harm when it travels fast enough’
Children and adults who play with the guns should wear protective eye goggles, they said, while calling for “reconsideration of the safe age limits for Nerf gun use in children”.
Nerf toys, manufactured by Hasbro, include a range of guns and blasters aimed at children aged eight and over.
Writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), A&E medics from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London told how three patients suffered injury from the guns in separate incidents. All suffered internal bleeding. Two of the cases were adults shot at by children. A 32-year-old man shot from 25ft away by a child suffered blurred vision and a red eye, as did a 43-year-old woman shot 3ft away.
An 11-year-old was also shot in his right eye from 6ft, resulting in swelling with pain and blurred vision. In each case, their sight returned but the authors said the guns could cause long-term vision loss.
They also said patients had told how children had watched online videos in order to make their guns more powerful.
“The risk of an eye injury with the Nerf darts comes from the fact that a projectile can harm when it travels fast enough,” they said.
A Hasbro spokesman said: “Products undergo rigorous reviews and testing to assure they are safe and fun to play with, and meet or exceed global standards and regulations. Foam darts and rounds are not hazardous when used properly.
“Consumers must never aim at a person’s eyes or face and never modify darts or blasters.”