**Nerf Gun Accident Leads to Serious Eye Injury for Young Babysitter**
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In an unsettling incident that underscores the hidden dangers of seemingly harmless toys, 23-year-old Sarah Bell experienced a troubling eye injury while on a babysitting job in January. Initially dismissing the pain from being struck in the right eye by a Nerf dart, the ensuing hours revealed the severity of her condition.
As Bell attempted to return home after her shift, she quickly realised that her situation was more serious than first thought. “I was hit directly in the right eye by a Nerf dart,” she recounted. “The pain was severe, and my eye watered constantly.” However, it was during her drive home that her vision began to fail, becoming obscured by a white haze.
“The brightness of the lights bothered me greatly, and all I could see was this cloudiness,” she explained. “That’s when I really started to panic.” Concerned and confused by the sudden onset of symptoms, Bell sought immediate medical attention at a local emergency room. Unfortunately, her initial visit did not yield any answers, as the attending physician could not identify any visible damage and subsequently referred her to an ophthalmologist.
When she finally met with the specialist, the extent of her injury became apparent. The ophthalmologist discovered bruising inside Bell’s eyelid along with a hole between her iris and cornea. This injury significantly impacted the drainage in her eye, preventing her pupil from dilating correctly. At that point, her visual acuity was measured at 20/70, considerably lower than her usual sight.
The cloudiness in her vision began to fade after roughly a week, yet Bell experienced persistent blurred eyesight due to the dilation issues. “For about two months, things remained blurry,” she noted, reflecting on the frustrating recovery period. During this challenging time, she also started a new job, balancing her professional responsibilities while managing the fallout from the injury.
Medical professionals prescribed a course of steroid eye drops and additional medication aimed at restoring normal pupil function. Bell adhered to this treatment regime for about four weeks, gradually witnessing improvements in her eyesight. Today, she is pleased to report that she has regained 20/20 vision.
Despite this positive outcome, the incident has left lasting reminders. Bell has noted a permanent difference in the size of her pupils, with one now roughly 0.6 millimetres larger than the other. Additionally, certain lighting conditions continue to provoke discomfort in her injured eye. “Sunlight and some LED lights still make that eye water,” she shared.
While her doctors have not specifically indicated long-term vision loss as a result of the injury, they have confirmed that the difference in pupil size is a permanent change. This incident serves as a stark reminder about the potential dangers associated with seemingly innocuous toys like Nerf guns, which are often perceived as harmless playthings.
In light of her experience, Bell has taken to social media to document her recovery journey on TikTok, bringing awareness to the issue. Her videos, which include stark images of her injury, have garnered significant attention, prompting discussions about safety measures associated with children’s toys.
In the wake of the incident, PEOPLE has sought a comment from Hasbro, the manufacturer of Nerf products, but has yet to receive a response. The incident challenges parents and carers alike to reassess the safety of toys that may inadvertently pose risks to children and those around them. As for Bell, while she has recovered her vision, the emotional toll and physical reminders of that fateful day will linger for some time.