Two unusual cases were reported in Jerusalem schools in recent weeks, after young children were struck in the eye by pencils during play. In both incidents, the pencil tip penetrated the cornea, a delicate layer essential for vision, forcing urgent surgery at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The pediatric emergency teams quickly identified the severity of the injuries and transferred the children to the operating room to prevent permanent damage.
The first case involved a nine year old whose eye was pierced by a multi-tip mechanical pencil. According to the medical team, the pencil was thrown during play, struck his eye, and lodged deep in the cornea. He arrived at Shaare Zedek’s pediatric ER with suspicion of a foreign object in the eye. Ophthalmic specialists, led by Dr. Yishai Weil, removed the fragment in a complex operation intended to prevent internal damage.
The second case followed shortly after, when a six year old was hit by a standard graphite pencil. The pencil was also thrown during play, penetrated the cornea, and required immediate intervention. According to hospital staff, the child reached the operating room quickly enough to prevent long-term harm.
How can parents identify an eye injury in children?
In a parallel case, Dr. Elad Ziv On from Shaare Zedek’s Ophthalmology Department treated another child whose pencil injury caused a corneal perforation. He noted that such injuries require rapid evaluation and, in some cases, surgical consideration.
The mother of the nine year old describes the moment of shock when she saw the pencil tip in her son’s eye. She says she and her family rushed to the hospital, where the medical team acted quickly and calmly. Her son recovered fully thanks to the rapid intervention.
What should you do when a pencil enters a child’s eye?
Shaare Zedek emphasizes the importance of immediate medical care in any eye injury, especially when a pencil or other sharp object may have penetrated the surface. Dr. Weil stresses that pencils, though common school items, are not toys, and improper use can lead to severe injuries. Fast medical treatment, he notes, was crucial in saving the children’s vision.
The incidents in Jerusalem schools highlight how quickly eye injuries in children can escalate into sight-threatening emergencies. Even a simple pencil, when thrown during play, can become a dangerous object requiring urgent surgery.
