Protecting your child’s vision: eye safety tips for school, sports, and play.

How to protect your child’s eyes at school.

From science labs to art rooms to screen time, school comes with more eye risks than many parents realize. But with some awareness and preparation, it’s easy to stay ahead of common hazards.

Science lab eye safety.

Chemistry and biology experiments sometimes involve splashes or flying debris. Remind your child that regular glasses aren’t enough. Safety goggles should always be worn, even during seemingly simple activities.

Art class awareness.

We all love the colorful masterpieces our kids bring home, but the same supplies that fuel creativity can also irritate or damage eyes, especially when kids rub their faces with messy hands. 

Encourage handwashing and reinforce good habits around art materials.

Screens and devices.
Digital screens are part of nearly every school day now. To prevent eye strain and fatigue, teach your child the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

How to prevent sports-related eye injuries in kids.

Athletics are great for building confidence and coordination, but they’re also a top source of pediatric eye injuries. Sports like basketball alone send thousands of kids to the ER due to accidental pokes, elbow hits, and collisions.

Here’s how to help prevent injury:

• Use sports goggles designed to meet ASTM safety standards
• Avoid regular glasses during sports, since they can shatter and cause more harm
• Make sure protective eyewear fits snugly and stays secure during play

Extra tips by sport:

• Baseball/softball. Use helmets with full faceguards and extra protection for catchers.
• Swimming. Pool chlorine can irritate eyes, so well-fitting goggles are a must. Outdoors, add sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays.

Swimming eye safety.

Swimming needs eye protection, too. Chlorine in pools can burn eyes and make them red. Swim goggles keep chlorine out. 

For outdoor swimming, wear sunglasses that block harmful sun rays.

Eye safety at home and outdoors: daily habits that keep eyes safe

Eye safety isn’t just for school or sports. Many household and outdoor activities come with risks, but most can be avoided with everyday precautions.

Around the house:

• Store cleaning products out of reach
• Teach children never to mix products
• Supervise tool use (even scissors and crafting gear)

Outdoor awareness:

• Make sunglasses part of your child’s routine, especially during sunny seasons
• Remind kids to watch for low-hanging branches or flying objects when playing outside
• During yard work or bike rides, eye safety matters just as much as helmets

When to seek care for a child’s eye injury.

Some eye injuries can be treated at home, but others need urgent or emergency care. Here’s how to know the difference.

Get emergency help immediately for:

• Cuts to the eye or eyelid
• Objects stuck in the eye
• Sudden vision loss
• Chemical exposure or severe pain

Seek prompt evaluation for:

• Ongoing eye pain
• Blurry vision or floaters
• Unusual light sensitivity
• Excessive tearing or eye redness

One of the most common injuries we see at CityMD is a corneal abrasion, which can be painful and sometimes mistaken for something minor. 

Learn how to spot it and protect your child’s vision in our guide on corneal abrasions and how to prevent eye damage.

First aid reminders:

• For chemical exposure, flush with clean water for 15 minutes
• Don’t rub the eye or try to remove embedded objects
• Keep your child calm and seek professional care right away

At CityMD, we know how quickly childhood accidents can happen, especially when it comes to something as sensitive as your child’s eyes. Whether it’s a sports injury, a splash of glue in art class, or something you’re just not sure about, our team is here to help with prompt care and clear answers. 

Strong eye safety habits start early, and we’re honored to be part of the support system that helps your child stay healthy, curious, and protected.