“You WON’T Put Your Eye Out, Kid” – 6 Gifts Ralphie’s Parents Would Approve Of

Remember Ralphie Parker from “A Christmas Story?” He desperately wanted an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle, but all he heard was, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”

This Safe Toys and Gifts Month, we at Lake Lazer Eye Center want to help you avoid holiday hazards and give gifts that will keep those eyes healthy and sharp. Whether you’re shopping for a child or an adult, consider these eye-safe gift ideas:

For the Kids:

1. Magnifying glass: Encourage exploration and curiosity with a magnifying glass. Kids can examine bugs, flowers and all sorts of tiny wonders up close. This helps them focus on details and appreciate the intricacies of the world around them … and the vision that helps them do that.
   
2. Telescope: Turn their gaze to the stars. A telescope opens up a whole universe and can spark a lifelong interest in astronomy. Observing celestial objects promotes focusing on distant objects, which can be beneficial for eye health.
   
3. Binoculars: Perfect for bird watching, nature walks or sporting events. Binoculars encourage kids to scan their surroundings and appreciate the beauty of their planet. Like telescopes, they also exercise those eye muscles responsible for long-distance vision.
   
4. Art supplies: Unleash their inner artist with a set of paints, crayons, colored pencils or clay. Focusing on intricate details while drawing or painting can enhance visual perception and hand-eye coordination.
   
5. Building blocks: They’re classic, creative and endlessly entertaining. Building with blocks enhances spatial reasoning and depth perception, crucial visual skills.
   
6. Books: A good book can transport a child to another world. Reading is a fantastic way to exercise eye muscles and improve focus. Choose age-appropriate stories with large print to prevent eye strain.

For the Adults:

1. Blue light blockers: Help protect their eyes from the harmful effects of digital screens with a stylish pair of blue light blocking glasses. These glasses filter out blue light, which can cause eye strain, headaches and sleep disturbances. If your gift recipient doesn’t wear glasses—or doesn’t want to—consider a screen protector with blue light blocking properties.
   
2. Eye massager: Give the gift of relaxation with a soothing eye massager. These devices use gentle massage and heat therapy to relieve eye strain and tension headaches. It may also help alleviate dry eye by stimulating the meibomian glands to produce protective oils.
   
3. High-quality sunglasses: Protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays with polarized sunglasses. Look for glasses that offer 100% UV protection and a comfortable fit.
   
4. Healthy cookbook: Encourage healthy eating habits with a cookbook filled with recipes that promote good eye health. Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, are particularly beneficial for vision.
   
5. Eye-healthy foods and supplements: Support their vision with a custom gift basket brimming with eye-healthy gourmet foods and supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin and other essential nutrients.
   
6. Help with SoftTouch LASIK or SMILE Pro: Give the gift of clear vision. Many adults struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. LASIK surgery can be life-changing, allowing you to see clearly without the hassle of glasses or contacts. If you’re considering LASIK for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to talk to the experts at Lake Lazer Eye Center. We offer no-obligation consultations and can help you determine if LASIK is right for you. With our advanced technology and experienced surgeons, you can trust us to provide you with the best possible care.

This holiday season, give a gift that will truly make a difference. Contact the Metro Detroit Area LASIK professionals at Lake Lazer Eye Center today to learn more about how to give the gift of clear vision to yourself or someone you love.

With convenient locations in Clinton Township, Southfield and Milford, Lake Lazer Eye Center offers Metro Detroit-area LASIK patients up-front pricing, and convenient and affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the SMILE Pro procedure. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of people from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts through laser vision correction procedures. Patients who are not candidates for vision correction can get our assistance with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.