Two young children suffered loss of vision in separate incidents following traumatic asphyxia. Visual loss secondary to trauma can occur from a variety of causes. This is apparently the first description of traumatic asphyxia causing visual loss in children. In children, visual impairment is easily missed unless the degree of handicap is severe. All children should have their fundi and visual acuity assessed before discharge following significant trauma, including all episodes of traumatic asphyxia.