Neuroscience for Kids

EyeSafety

Your eyes are the windows to your brain - Protect Them!
Here are some safety tips for caring for your eyes.

Walk, don't run, with sharpobjects such as scissors, pens, pencils and rulers.

Avoid guns, bow-and-arrows, slingshots andfirecrackers.

Use good lighting toavoid tiringyour eyes when reading, writing or cruising the Internet.

Learn basic first aidfor your eyes in case an injury does occur.

Tell your parents, school nurseor teachers if your eyes are bothering you.

Wear proper eyeprotection whenyou are doing hazardous hobbies, chores or mixing chemicals.

Wear proper eyeprotection whenyou are playing sports such as racquetball and baseball.

According to the National Society to Prevent Blindness, the leadingcause of sports-related eye injuries in:
5-14 yr. olds is baseball ;
15-24 yr. olds is basketball ;
25-64 yr. olds is racquet sports, like racquetball and tennis.

Wear sunglasses thatblock both ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B radiation from thesun.

Never look directly at thesun.

Point chemical sprays away from yourface BEFORE spraying.

Wear a helmet whenbiking, skateboarding or rollerskating and wear yourseatbelt in the car.

It is also a good idea to get your eyes examinedregularly.
Your body has some "built-in" devices to protect your eyes like:
Bony sockets: your eyes are located in bony sockets to protect themfrom getting hit.
Eyebrows: your eyebrows are used to keep the light out.
Eyelids: your eyelids can close to keep small objects out of youreyes.
Eyelashes: eyelashes also keep small objects out of your eyes.
Tears: tears keep your eyes moist and work to wash small objects outof your eyes.
Blinkreflex: the blink reflex automatically closes your eyes.