Andrews High student arrested after paper airplane hits teacher in eye

[Lilou]

I asked an eye doctor about a paper airplane hitting an eye. Doc said it depends where on the eye it hits. If it is not the central pupil, then the scratch to the cornea or conjunctival usually heals in 3-5 days, so no big deal. If it is the central pupil, then the scars will cause focal blur with a halo or glare effect, so not blindness but permanent impairment.

It seems the answer demonstrates often times a paper airplane to the eye is not serious, and unfortunately if it is to the wrong place on the eye it results in a lifelong consequence. So while talk of the dangers of paper airplanes may still seem absurd, that's the data.

Ok, based on what your eye doctor said, the chance that that happens is extremely small.

I am also an eye doctor, and it is highly unlikely that a paper airplane will penetrate past the 5 layers of epithelial cells of the cornea and into the stroma. A permanent scar will only occur if the wound is well into the stroma. A permanent impairment in this case is a non-issue; however, the teacher sees fit to give this kid a permanent record as a criminal, just because he can and doesn't like the student.