Should You Worry? Baby Hit in the Eye by Teething Toy

The infant's eye area was struck by a teething toy?

Hello Doctor, my baby is four months old.
This Saturday night, while giving my baby a teething toy, it accidentally fell from a height of 20-30 cm and landed between the upper part of the right eye and the bridge of the nose (based on the red mark, I'm not sure if it hit the eye).
The baby's condition is as follows:
- There was a very light redness in that area, which seemed to fade later (the area was scratched by the baby during a midnight awakening, so it's hard to confirm).
- The baby cried intensely for 3-5 minutes at the time, but then stopped and has not cried without reason since.
- There was a moment of slight asymmetry in the eyes (which occasionally happens).
- There are no noticeable blood vessels in the sclera.
- The eye socket was a bit moist but there was no significant tearing (possibly due to crying).
After comforting the baby, they fell asleep.
- After a short nap, the baby was quite active, and the eyes appeared normal, with appropriate focus tracking.
Family members who were not present at the time also did not notice any abnormalities.
Since I'm unsure if the eye was directly impacted (although there are reflex actions at this stage, the incident happened too quickly to notice), do you think it is necessary to take the baby to the hospital for an examination to check the cornea and vision? Should we also consult a pediatrician?
Note: The teething toy is made of TPU and ABS materials, and here are the images: https://ibb.co/r210XBG https://ibb.co/6gXbt9C

Xinshou Ma, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/08/15

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

At four months old, a baby's vision should be able to see up to four meters away.
You can try moving a brightly colored object that interests him back and forth in front of him.
If his black pupils can follow the object and move accordingly, tracking is normal, which suggests that his vision is likely unaffected.

Reply Date: 2021/08/15

More Info

When a baby experiences an incident where a teething toy falls near or on their eye, it can understandably cause concern for parents. In your case, your four-month-old baby had a teething toy drop from a height of 20-30 cm, landing near the eye area. The symptoms you described, including a brief period of crying, a slight redness that later faded, and normal activity afterward, suggest that while the incident was alarming, it may not have resulted in significant injury.

Firstly, it’s important to note that infants at this age have a natural reflex to protect their eyes. If the teething toy did make contact with the eye, the immediate reaction would typically be to close the eye and turn away. The fact that your baby stopped crying after a few minutes and resumed normal activity is a positive sign. Additionally, the absence of significant redness in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and the lack of excessive tearing further indicate that there may not be any serious injury.

However, there are a few key points to consider regarding potential eye injuries in infants. Even if the initial symptoms seem mild, it is essential to monitor for any changes in behavior or signs of discomfort. Look for symptoms such as:
1. Persistent Crying: If your baby continues to cry or seems unusually fussy, it could indicate discomfort.

2. Changes in Vision: While it’s difficult to assess vision in such young infants, any noticeable changes in how your baby tracks objects or focuses could warrant further evaluation.

3. Redness or Swelling: If the redness returns or if there is swelling around the eye, this could indicate a more serious issue.

4. Discharge: Any unusual discharge from the eye could suggest an infection or irritation.

Given that your baby is still tracking objects normally and appears to be in good spirits, it may not be necessary to rush to the emergency room. However, it is advisable to consult with a pediatrician or an ophthalmologist for a thorough examination, especially if you notice any of the concerning symptoms mentioned above. They can perform a more detailed assessment of the eye, including checking the cornea for scratches or other injuries.

In terms of follow-up care, keep an eye on your baby for the next few days. If any new symptoms arise, or if you have lingering concerns, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to eye health, especially in infants.

In conclusion, while the initial signs seem reassuring, a professional evaluation can provide peace of mind and ensure that your baby’s eye health is intact. Regular check-ups with a pediatrician can also help monitor your baby’s overall development and address any concerns you may have as they grow.

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