Protect Children from Eye Injuries Caused by Citric Acid

Amidst health-related factors that account for many eye defects in children, there is a commonly-overlooked environmental cause of vision damage that is preventable: eye injury from citric acid. The national organization Prevent Blindness America reports that over 12 million school-aged children experience visual impairments; while the National Society to Prevent Blindness reveals that one-third of children under age 10 lose eyesight because of eye injury. Although parents may be aware of temporary eye burns that citric acid can trigger when it splashes in the eyes, they do not realize the long-term damage that it can have on their child's eyesight. As evidence, the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety has documented incidences where individuals have suffered permanent eye injury after their eyes were exposed to citric acid.

Children are exposed to the most obvious form of citric acid from citrus fruits including oranges, grapefruits, and lemons that they are served at school or are encouraged to eat at home. It is easy for the citrus juices to squirt into a child's eye when he or she is peeling or separating the fruit. Another way that citric acids can enter a child's eye is from shampoos or soaps that contain the ingredient of citric acid. For this reason, it is important for parents to read the ingredients and warnings on label about the steps to take during an emergency. Such warnings advise that an individual who has had eye contact with the product immediately flush the eye with warm water for 20-30 minutes and seek medical attention. The amount of eye injury depends on the level of concentration and the degree of exposure with the citric acid.

In noting that the eyes are so fragile and can be instantly impaired with a small amount of citric acid, the first step in preventing eye injury is instilling awareness in parents, teachers, cafeteria workers, and children of the harmful effects of citric acid. Children should take the precautions of closing their eyes or wearing protective eye wear when handling citrus fruits or washing their hair with products that contain citrus acid ingredients. As a result of these preventative methods, more children will be able to maintain 20/20 vision for as long as possible. Other benefits of taking these precautions include reducing negative self-image or adjustment issues that occasionally come with wearing glasses, eliminating irritations that may arise from wearing contacts, and cutting the expense of corrective lenses or laser surgery.

Sources

"CHEMINFO: Citric Acid."CanadianCenter for Occupational Health and Safety.

"Eye Injuries: Types."Children's Hospital Boston.

"Prevent Blindness America Releases National Platform to Help Protect Children's Vision."Preventblindness.org.