Nerf guns can cause serious eye injuries and users should wear protective goggles, London doctors warned in a new British Medical Journal case study.
Doctors said in the study that the age limit for children using the popular toy gun may need to be reviewed because of the injuries, according to BBC News.
The doctors cited three examples involving two adults and one child who were hurt in separate incidents over a three-month period with Nerf guns, which come with soft, reusable foam darts and foam rounds. One man, 32, and a woman, 43, sustained blurred vision after being hit in the eye with the foam projectiles, noted the BBC News.
An 11-year-old boy also complained of blurred vision after he was struck in the face. All, though, had their eye sights return to normal after weeks of checkups, the BBC News said.
"Significant Nerf gun ocular injuries are not reported in the literature, as far as we know," the BMJ case study said. "This case series serves to raise awareness of the seriousness of Nerf gun ocular injuries. It encourages further exploration of reasons for such injuries, as well as a review of protective measures against ocular trauma."
Fox News reported that Nerf blasters are made for children age 8 or older, though one product allows 5-year-olds to use it. A Hasbro spokeswoman told Fox News in a statement that if used properly, the Nerf foam darts and foam rounds should not pose any concern.
"Consumers must never aim Nerf blasters at a person's eyes or face, should only use the foam darts and foam rounds designed for specific Nerf blasters, and never modify darts or blasters," a Hasbro spokeswoman said, according to Fox News.
The spokeswoman said unbranded Nerf guns may have harder material.
"There are darts available to buy claiming to be Nerf compatible, however these darts are not NERF-branded and may not meet safety standards and regulations," the spokeswoman said, according to Fox News.
"Ultimately, a parent or caregiver knows his or her child best and is best equipped to make decisions on what forms of play and entertainment are most appropriate for his or her child," she added.
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