Thursday, December 20, 2012

Trouble in Toyland

Since Prevent Blindness America named December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, we thought it only fitting to look back on the most dangerous toys in 2012.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) released its 27th annual Trouble in Toyland survey last month and revealed that generally, most toys are safer than ever before. 

However, there were still a few toys that proved to be dangerous. Tests on the Morphobot revealed a high lead content that exceeded the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. PIRG stated, “Lead is especially toxic to the brains of young children and can cause permanent mental and developmental impairments; it has no business being in child’s products.”
  

Buckyball magnets can pinch fingers and can cause severe internal damage if swallowed. It can also be considered a choking hazard if it falls in the hands of young kids. 


The Dora Tunes Guitar is considered to be too loud. The guitar is a potential noise hazard for kids and can cause hearing loss.



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Anderson Cooper Goes Temporarily Blind

The latest news this week is that Anderson Cooper went blind for about 36 hours because he burned his eyeballs during a trip to Portugal.

Anderson Cooper tweeted this picture of himself on December 4th wearing a patch over his right eye (www.twitter.com/andersoncooper)





The 60 Minutes correspondent and CNN anchor said “he woke up in the middle of the night and thought he had sand in his eyes” after being on the water in Portugal filming a 60 Minutes segment. The UV rays bouncing off the water sunburned Cooper’s eyes leaving him temporarily blind and in a lot of pain. Cooper said he doesn’t like wearing sunglasses, but now he will have to make it a point to always wear sunglasses, especially when he’s on the water.

Anderson Cooper on Anderson Live talks about
 his experience going temporarily blind

Thursday, December 6, 2012

What If I Were Blind

With the holiday season in the air, I can’t help but stop and think about all the things I’m thankful for in my life, which this year, thanks to my job at Prevent Blindness Texas, includes my sight.

Even though I work at a nonprofit where I talk to clients on a daily basis about their failing vision, I often forget that I am not immune to becoming blind either. Because of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, when you’re generally healthy, none of us have much time to think about our vision or our health in general. 

But eye disease, eye injuries and blindness affect everybody without regard to age, race or social status. You can lose your sight instantaneously due to a sports injury, or over time due to glaucoma or cataracts. Imagine never being able to read your favorite book, never seeing the leaves change colors in the fall, or never seeing your child’s face. Many of us often take our sight for granted, but not all of us are granted the privilege of sight.

Through my time at Prevent Blindness Texas, I’ve learned to appreciate the gift of sight and my hope is that this blog will help you learn to appreciate your sight, as well. It’s a precious gift, and with all things precious, we have to work hard at protecting it. Go to a vision screening or get an eye exam regularly, especially if you notice a difference in your vision, or if you have a family history of eye disease. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or working with dangerous tools around your home to protect yourself from a serious eye injury. 

On your drive home from school or work, realize that it wouldn’t be so easy (or legal) if you didn’t have your sight. When you see your family members’ smiles, realize you wouldn’t be so lucky if you didn’t have your sight. And when you watch your favorite movie, realize it wouldn’t be as enjoyable if you didn’t have your sight.

Take 2 minutes today and stop and think about all of the things you would miss or couldn't do if you became blind. Now make a commitment to fight and take the steps to prevent blindness.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

11 Ways to Protect Your Kids During the Holidays

We’ve worn the silly and scary costumes and stuffed our faces with turkey and pie and now it’s almost everyone’s favorite time of the year—present time! You may be excited because it’s time for your favorite traditions, time to decorate your house and, time to bake holiday treats, but your kids are just excited because they’re about to get new toys and gadgets to keep them occupied for the next year. Now we don’t want to be the Grinch, but it is important to know that the toys and gadgets you or your family members buy for your kids are safe.

Here are 11 easy ways to ensure that your kids aren’t in any danger this holiday season:

  1. Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.  Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.
  2. Inspect all toys before purchasing.  Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
  3. For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy. If magnets or batteries are ingested, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
  4. Sports equipment gifts should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, or a face guard with a new batting helmet for baseball or softball).
  5. Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult.  Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
  6. Always save the warranties and directions for every toy. If possible, include a gift receipt.  Repair or throw away damaged toys.
  7. Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
  8. Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
  9. Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.  If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
  10. Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children, as they can become wrapped around a child’s neck.
  11. Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the CPSC, more children have suffocated from these than any other type of toy.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Roaring Success

The 2nd annual Eye Stroll was a roaring success! Over 400 walkers raised over $23,000 for the Prevent Blindness Southeast Texas Region!

Wendy Montalbano was the top fundraiser with a total of $2620, exceeding her fundraising goal by $120. Wendy was inspired to raise over $2500 in order to win the iPad for her son, Jeffrey, who was born without sight. On her fundraising site, Wendy says, “Jeffrey’s teachers and therapist all use an iPad for music therapy, vision stimulation, cause and effect, etc. He also can play the drums and piano on the iPad. The iPad is one of very few things we have identified to bring such enjoyment to Jeffrey.” The iPad is an essential learning tool for Jeffrey so we were all very excited when Wendy reached passed the $2500 fundraising goal!

Wendy Montalbano with her daughter and son, Jeffrey, and Khambrel Marshall from Channel 2 News to Houston (Photo: Caroline Sam Photograph)
The event honored Dr. Amy Coburn, a PBT board member and a huge advocate of the Eye Stroll. Dr. Coburn raised a total of $1620 and was the second top fundraiser!

Dr. Amy Coburn cutting the ribbon at the start of the stroll (Photo: Caroline Sam Photography)
This event could not have been as successful without the wonderful support from our sponsors and volunteers. Our sponsors included the Houston Zoo, where the event took place, News to Houston, Sparkling Faces, Hoya, VSP, Methodist Hospital, Houston Eye Associates, Vitamin Water, Liberty Mutual, VisionWorks, Geico, Harris County Optometric Society, Caroline Sam Photography, Sunny 99.1, Kletzmer Entertainment, and Clear Channel Media Entertainment.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful event! We hope to see all of you again next year!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

"And the Number 3 is Now Lucky to Me"

Roxkishia Warner received a free vision screening in Galveston, TX, unknowingly changing the way she would see life. Here’s her story about her experience in receiving a vision screening and in participating in our Healthy Eyes Eyeglass program:

“I heard about the free [vision] screening from a friend [so] we arranged a time to go participate together. When we arrived to find a one hour wait, my friend began to get impatient and complained of hunger. I told her that this was worth the wait, because if she left, I would have to as well, since we rode together. Somehow she received patience. We both failed our screening and got instructions to visit an eye doctor for the discounted exam, and to fax in our original application and prescription and in 3 weeks we will get a voucher for a pair of eyeglasses. Well thank God for my friend and a little patience, because instead of 3 weeks to receive the voucher, it was 3 days. I’ve been in need of glasses for 3 years since my last pair was broken. Now I can see better and the number '3' is now lucky to me. Thank you!"

Roxkishia, September 2012
Through our state-wide Healthy Eyes Eyeglass program, we have been able to help thousands of Texans, like Roxkishia, receive a much-needed pair of eyeglasses. Every 11 minutes someone goes blind but we hope that one day, with the help of our partners, donors and supporters, we will be able to end preventable blindness.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

8 Sight-Saving Halloween Costume Tips

1. Stay away from non-prescription decorative contact lenses—these lenses use toxic dyes and cheap materials that could scratch your cornea, cause an allergic reaction or even cause blindness!

2. Don’t sleep in your makeup—it can cause skin irritation.

3. Don’t use non-FDA approved makeup—it could cause skin irritation but you can test it on your arm beforehand if you insist on using it.

 4. Don’t dye your eyebrows or eyelashes—this could cause an allergic reaction such as swelling around your eye, irritation or even blindness. Just stick with FDA-approved eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow instead.

 5. Apply false eyelashes carefully—follow the directions carefully. Also, make sure they were stored in a clean area to prevent bacteria from infecting your eyes.

6. Don’t wear costumes that are too long—falling and tripping is a common cause of eye injuries, so make sure your costumes fit well!

7. Avoid kids’ costumes with sharp, pointy objects—swords and knives may complete a pirate or ninja costume, but they could also hurt someone’s eye. If your kids insist, make sure the objects are made from soft, flexible materials.

 8. Avoid costumes with masks or hats that block your vision—if you have the perfect mask or hat that completes your costume, make sure to take it off while crossing the street or driving so that you can see without difficulty.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

References: http://www.seemuchmore.com/learn-about-eyes/ten-ways-to-protect-eyes-for-halloween

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

One Small Step for Sight

Prevent Blindness Texas’s three regions are gearing up for some family-friendly fun! Each region is hosting its very own walk for sight, at three very different venues, at three different times of day, but with one common goal—to raise money to help end preventable blindness.

The Southeast Region’s 2nd Annual Eye Stroll for Vision is a noncompetitive walk held at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The entire morning is filled with fun activities for people of all ages. The gates will open at 7 a.m. where strollers will be able to start their morning watching the animals wake up. As the animals begin eating breakfast and taking their baths, everyone can begin their leisurely stroll through the zoo. The Family Fun Center will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. where the strollers can enjoy refreshments, entertainment, face painting, costumed characters and sponsor booths. And since you’ll already be at the zoo, why not enjoy the rest of the day at the zoo for free! There will also be awesome prizes for everyone who raises money for the event! Be a part of it! To register, form a team, join an existing team, donate to a team, become a sponsor or to simply donate to the event, please visit www.preventblindness.net/eye-stroll or contact Irene Baird at 713-526-2559 X 105.

The North Region’s Inaugural Light the Night for Sight 5K Family Fun Walk will be on November 30, 2012 at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Become a part of a new tradition! Get a group together, whether it’s family, friends, neighbors or coworkers and start raising pledges to save sight. To register, form, join or donate to a team, or to simply donate to the event, please visit www.preventblindness.net/metroplex or you may contact Stephanie Melson at smelson@preventblindnesstexas.org.

The Southwest Region’s Light the Night for Sight will be held at SeaWorld on December 7, 2012 in San Antonio. Light the Night for Sight has two route options—a 5K for participants who want to challenge themselves, and a 1-mile route for families and young kids. Runners will be chipped and timed, so either create or join a family, organization or corporate team today, or sign up as an individual! Runner online registration will close at noon on November 30th, and all online registration will close at noon on December 3rd, so sign up today! To register as or donate to an individual or a team, or to simply donate to the event, please visit http://preventblindness.net/sanantonio or contact Audra Atzger at aatzger@preventblindnesstexas.org.

These events are held all across the state of Texas so join the fun, come to an event and help us save the sight of thousands of Texans!