THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 38 NOV 2026-JAN 2027 t h etchoenc no encnt ei oc nt i son j s. cnoj .mc o m HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 38 The Optical Shoppe at Bedminster Eye 400 Main Street, Bedminster, NJ 07921 Monday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Email: optical@bedminstereye.net • (908) 719-2020 Maui Jim • BOSS • Fysh • Tom Ford • Kliik • David Beckham • Flexon • Seraphin Silhouette • Kate Spade • Longchamp • Salvatore Ferragamo Rag & Bone • WOOW • Charles Stone • Morel • STATE 30% off a 2nd pair of prescription glasses. In-stock designer eyewear on sale – call us to inquire! Complete eye care and eyewear in one convenient location. We accept VSP, EyeMed, Insight, FSA & HSA cards Don’t let your vision benefits go unused – schedule today! Cannot be combined with insurance or other offers. Excludes Maui Jim. See optician for details. Expires 1/31/27 Quality Brands Scan the QR code to explore our eyeglass gallery and virtually try on frames. ne in 10 children’s eye injuries treated in emergency rooms are caused by toys. Q. Why is December a good time to talk about children’s eye safety? A. December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, a reminder to choose gifts and plan gatherings with safety in mind. As eye doctors, we see how quickly eye injuries can happen. Toys bring children joy, but some can cause serious harm. Holiday celebrations can introduce risks from toy projectiles and other flying objects. Q. How common are toy-related eye injuries in children? A. These injuries happen more often than people realize. Roughly 1 in 10 children’s eye injuries treated in emergency rooms are caused by toys. Injuries can range from minor scratches to damage, including bleeding inside the eye, retinal injury, or permanent vision loss. Give Safely, Play Safely: Toy Safety Tips • Avoid toys with sharp, protruding, or projectile parts, including crossbows, darts, and BB guns. • Choose age-appropriate toys, read labels, and keep older children’s toys away from younger kids. • Supervise children during active play, especially with small, fast-moving, or breakable parts. • For laser toys, check that labels meet U.S. federal safety standards. • Give protective eyewear with sports equipment. • Seek medical care if a child is hit in the eye and has pain, blurred vision, bleeding, light sensitivity, or an unusual-looking eye. Q. Which toys are most concerning for eye injuries? A. Toys that shoot or launch objects are among the biggest risks. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises parents to avoid projectile toys, such as crossbows, darts, BB guns, and similar items. Even if marketed for children, a fast-moving projectile can strike the eye with enough force to cause lasting harm. Q. What should parents look for when choosing safer toys? A. Choose toys that match the child’s age and read warning labels. Avoid toys with sharp edges, rigid points, or parts that can fly off or break easily. For children, watch for small pieces that could detach and become choking hazards. If a gift involves sports equipment, consider protective eyewear designed for that activity. Q. How can families make playtime safer? A. Supervise children with new toys, and teach them never to aim objects at anyone’s face. Keep risky toys away from younger siblings, and repair or discard broken items. If an eye injury causes pain, blurred vision, bleeding, light sensitivity, or an unusual appearance, seek medical care right away. Q. What is the main takeaway? A. Simple precautions help protect children’s sight. Choose safer toys, avoid projectile gifts, supervise play, and use protective eyewear for sports. These steps can help keep the holidays joyful and injury-free. Bedminster Eye and Laser Center has served the community for more than 30 years, providing advanced medical, surgical, and routine eye care, along with eyeglasses. Led by founder and Medical Director Dr. Lawrence V. Najarian, a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than 10,000 surgeries performed, the team offers comprehensive vision care. Our optometrists have advanced clinical training and provide medical eye exams, manage ocular disease, prescribe medications when appropriate, and work closely with Dr. Najarian. Together, we listen, explain your options, and help protect your vision long term. Holiday Toy Safety: Protecting Children’s Eyes from Injury Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. • Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology John F. Insinga, O.D., F.A.A. • Diplomate, American Board of Optometry Lisa Ortenzio, O.D. • Therapeutic Optometrist ASK THE EYE DOCTOR O
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