Every year thousands of kids are treated at hospital emergency rooms for toy-related eye injuries, and many more go unreported. When you are shopping for children's toys, there a few important guidelines you might want to keep in mind.

First, make sure the manufacturer's age range for the toy designed matches the age of your child or the development of your child. Decide whether the toy is appropriate to the child's level of maturity as well as age. Also, frequent accidents can occur when children play with toys that are not meant for them. Be sure to consider the potential danger to others when selecting a toy.

Second, toys that contain sugar-based compounds can be dangerous to the eyes. Compounds that warn not to come into contact with wood or carpet could cause serious burns to the cornea. Also, toys that contain liquid-like or sticky compounds could cause an eye infection if the child's fingers touch the eyes after handling these toys.

If the toy fires any kind of object, or if the toy itself is launchable, depending on the material and the speed, eye injury could occur. Examine the toy for parts that could fly off. Toys that use concentrated power or pressure to transfer another object are the most likely toys to become a problem. Objects launched by a rubber band, slingshot, or spring could penetrate the eye, and possibly even rupture the eye. Also check toys for sharp, pointed edges that could be a threat to your child's vision.

Toys are teaching tools which stimulate a child's social, intellectual, physical, and creative development. For this reason, you must keep your child in mind as you shop for new toys.

Remember that the key to preventing these eye injuries or any other toy-related injury is adult supervision.