Holiday Eye Safety: How to Protect Your Vision During Festive Celebrations

Summary:
From toy safety to travel tips, learn how to protect your eyes during the holidays. The doctors at Blake Bush Family Eye Care in Ardmore, OK share expert advice for a safe, joyful season.

What You’ll Learn

• The most common holiday-related eye injuries and how to prevent them
• Which toys and decorations can be hazardous to your eyes — especially for children
• How travel, indoor heating, and winter dryness affect your vision
• What to do if an eye emergency occurs over the holidays
• How preventive care and a year-end eye exam keep your vision clear for the new year

A Season for Joy — and Unexpected Eye Risks

The holiday season is filled with bright lights, sparkling decorations, and time with loved ones — but it also brings unique risks for your eyes. Each December, optometrists across the country treat preventable eye injuries related to decorations, toys, cooking accidents, and travel.

At Blake Bush Family Eye Care, we want our Ardmore community to enjoy every moment safely. Here are our top doctor-approved ways to protect your eyes this holiday season.

1. Toy Safety: Protecting Young Eyes

Toys bring excitement for children, but not all are designed with eye safety in mind. Each year, thousands of emergency-room visits result from toy-related eye injuries.

Choose Wisely

• Avoid toys with projectiles, sharp edges, or spring-loaded parts that can launch unexpectedly.
• Look for labels indicating ASTM safety compliance or age-appropriate recommendations.
• For sports-related gifts, include protective eyewear designed for that activity.

Supervise Playtime

Even safe toys can cause injury if used improperly. Teach children to never aim objects toward anyone’s face — including their own.

Tip: Keep protective eyewear in play areas if children use toy guns, foam darts, or sports equipment.

2. Decoration Dangers: Glitter, Glass, and Branches

Decorating brings the season to life — but twinkling lights, tree branches, and ornaments can be surprisingly risky.

Watch Out For:

• Broken glass ornaments — Tiny shards can injure the cornea or lodge under the eyelid.
• Tree branches and needles — Wear safety glasses if you’re trimming or adjusting the tree.
• Artificial snow or aerosol sprays — These irritate the eyes and can cause chemical burns if sprayed too close.
• Decorative candles and fireplaces — Sparks or ash can fly into eyes; always use screens and avoid standing too close.

Safety Tip:

Use shatter-resistant ornaments and LED candles when possible — they’re safer for kids, pets, and eyes alike.

3. Cooking and Kitchen Safety

Holiday meals are a highlight of the season, but hot oil, grease, and steam can cause serious eye burns.

Protect yourself while cooking:

• Keep lids or grease guards on pans.
• Avoid leaning over steaming pots.
• If you use spices like chili or pepper, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face or eyes.
• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses while cooking with oils or steam — lenses can trap heat and irritants.

If a splash or burn occurs, rinse your eyes immediately with clean water and seek professional care.

4. Eye Strain from Screens and Seasonal Glare

Between holiday movies, online shopping, and festive photos, December brings plenty of screen time — and that can trigger digital eye strain.

Reduce Eye Fatigue

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Keep screens at arm’s length and slightly below eye level.
• Use proper lighting to reduce glare from decorations or screens.
• Consider blue-light-filter lenses if you spend several hours a day on digital devices.

I

f you notice eye fatigue, headaches, or blurry vision, schedule an eye exam — these can signal an outdated prescription or digital eye strain.

5. Travel Smart: Protecting Eyes on the Go

Whether you’re flying to see family or driving long distances, travel can stress your eyes.

Air Travel Tips

• Cabin air is very dry — pack preservative-free lubricating eye drops.
• Remove contact lenses for long flights if your eyes tend to dry out.
• Stay hydrated; dehydration worsens dryness.

Road Trip Tips

• Wear sunglasses to reduce glare from snow or sun.
• Keep the car’s heater vent directed away from your face.
• Take breaks if you experience eye fatigue during long drives.

6. Holiday Contact Lens Safety

If you wear contact lenses, the busy season can tempt you to cut corners. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Sleeping in daily lenses — always remove them at night.
• Topping off old solution instead of using fresh disinfectant each time.
• Wearing decorative or colored lenses without a prescription — these can cause serious infections or corneal damage.

If your contacts feel dry or uncomfortable, take a break and wear your glasses. Persistent irritation may indicate dry eye, which Dr. Blake Bush specializes in treating with advanced solutions, including scleral lenses.

7. What to Do in an Eye Emergency

If something gets in your eye — or if you experience pain, sudden vision changes, or chemical exposure — act quickly:

1. Do not rub your eyes.
2. Flush immediately with clean, lukewarm water or saline solution.
3. Remove contact lenses if applicable.
4. Seek medical help immediately — call our office or visit urgent care if after hours.

Never attempt to remove embedded objects yourself. Prompt treatment can prevent long-term vision damage.

8. The Role of Preventive Eye Care

An eye emergency can happen anytime — but preventive care makes a big difference. Scheduling a comprehensive eye exam in December ensures your eyes are healthy heading into the new year.

During your visit at Blake Bush Family Eye Care, our doctors will:

• Check your vision and update your prescription
• Evaluate your eye health for early signs of disease
• Recommend personalized protection strategies for your lifestyle
• Discuss options for dry-eye relief, contact lenses, and eyewear

A yearly exam isn’t just about seeing clearly — it’s about protecting your eyes for life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Eye Safety

1. What are the most common eye injuries during the holidays?

The most frequent holiday eye injuries come from toy projectiles, sharp decorations, and cooking accidents like hot oil splashes. Tree branches and broken ornaments can also cause scratches or corneal injuries. Always supervise playtime and handle décor carefully.

2. How can I protect my children’s eyes when buying toys?

Choose age-appropriate toys that meet ASTM safety standards and avoid items that shoot objects or have sharp edges. For older kids using foam dart or sports equipment, provide protective eyewear designed for impact resistance. Supervision is key — even “soft” projectiles can cause injury.

3. Can decorations or artificial snow irritate my eyes?

Yes. Sprays, glitters, and artificial snow can contain chemicals that irritate or burn the eye’s surface. If you use them, keep them away from your face and out of children’s reach. If irritation occurs, rinse your eyes immediately with clean water and contact your eye doctor if discomfort continues.

4. What should I do if something gets in my eye?

Do not rub your eye. Rinse it gently with sterile saline or clean water. If you suspect a scratch, burn, or embedded object, seek medical care immediately. Never attempt to remove debris yourself — improper removal can worsen the injury.

5. Why do my eyes feel dry or irritated when traveling?

Airplane cabins and car heaters reduce humidity, which dries out your tear film. To relieve this, use preservative-free artificial tears, stay hydrated, and direct car vents away from your face. Contact lens wearers may benefit from removing lenses on long flights.

6. Can holiday stress or fatigue affect my eyes?

Yes. Stress, lack of sleep, and increased screen time can contribute to eye strain, twitching, or dryness. Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), get adequate rest, and limit nighttime screen exposure.

7. When should I call my eye doctor during the holidays?

If you experience pain, redness, sudden vision changes, light sensitivity, or persistent irritation, contact your eye doctor right away. Our team at Blake Bush Family Eye Care can assess your symptoms and provide same-day or emergency care if needed.

8. How can I keep my eyes healthy going into the new year?

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam before December ends. This ensures your prescription is current, your eyes are healthy, and any early signs of disease are detected. It’s the best gift you can give yourself — clear, comfortable vision for the year ahead.

The holidays are meant for laughter, family, and beautiful memories — not unexpected eye injuries. From safe decorating and smart cooking to careful toy choices and travel prep, small steps can make a big difference in protecting your vision.

At Blake Bush Family Eye Care, our mission is to help every patient enjoy healthy eyes and clear vision through every season. Whether you need an annual exam, dry-eye treatment, or emergency care, our team is here for you..

About the Author

Blake Bush Family Eye Care is a leading provider of optometric services in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Our mission is to help every patient enjoy healthy, clear vision for life through advanced technology, personalized care, and genuine compassion. We provide comprehensive eye exams for all ages — starting at six months — and specialize in dry eye treatment, scleral lens fittings, and ocular disease management.



Serving Ardmore and surrounding communities, we’re committed to early detection, prevention, and customized solutions for every patient’s unique vision needs. Learn more at www.blakebushfamilyeyecare.com.