Ocular injury from foam dart (Nerf) blasters: a case series.

Abstract

Foam dart blasters can cause severe blunt ocular trauma and permanent visual loss, illustrating the need for eye protection when handling these toys. • Foam dart blasters, a blanket term for spring-loaded toy guns that fire foam-coated darts or bullets at a relatively low velocity, have gained popularity in recent years among pediatric populations, with an increase in associated ocular injuries. •To date, scattered case reporting provides insufficient insight into the full clinical spectrum of injury and prognosis of foam dart blasters related ocular injury. •This case series characterizes the myriad foam dart blasters injuries that may afflict the eye, most of which are self-limiting, but some of which may result in poor visual outcomes and lifelong disability in pediatric patients. •We strongly recommend that all users wear eye protection while using foam dart blasters.