Bausch and Lomb issues holiday eye care advice

Bausch and Lomb has provided some advice for parents on keeping children away from potential eye hazards during the Christmas holidays.

Paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Sean Donahue, a member of the advisory council for the eye health company's Early Vision Institute, said there are several issues people should be aware of during the festive period.

These include sharp and breakable Christmas decorations that could pose a threat to young children within the home, while playing outside in the snow also carries a risk.

Parents were urged to be extra careful with children around a fireplace or other open flames, as well as keeping them away from heavy-duty packaging that could poke or scratch their eyes.

"Severe trauma to children's eyes could lead to long-term vision problems, paediatric cataract or permanent blindness," the company warned.

The Early Vision Institute is a global scheme from Bausch and Lomb that aims to protect young people from long-term eyesight problems.

Last month, Bausch and Lomb unveiled a new cleansing product designed to keep touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablet computers free of dirt and bacteria.