Ocular Firework Injuries at New Year’s Eve

Abstract

Purpose: To prospectively study mechanisms and injury characteristics of ocular firework burns. Methods: A prospective analysis of all patients with firework injuries attending the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, between 1994 and 2001. We looked for classes of fireworks and mechanisms of injuries. The number of diagnoses was established and their severity classified. Results: During this period (8 years) we identified 116 eyes of 102 patients. 67/102 (66%) of all injuries were caused by class II and III fireworks. Patients ranged between 4 and 83 years. Ocular injuries occurred more frequently in males (69, 68%) and affected the right eye in 53 patients (52.5%). Ocular firework injuries to minors (under the age of 18 years) occurred in 48 (49%). The most common types of injury were skin and corneal erosions and abrasions (32/116, 28%). 11/116 eyes (10%) had severe injuries. 8 of 11 severe injuries (72%) occurred in minors (<18 years). 2 patients (1.7%) developed permanent blindness. In 32/116 patients (28%), the ocular trauma resulted in visual impairment, mainly due to corneal scars or retinal pathologies. In all patients, the severity index was 1.4 ± 0.8. In minors the severity index was 1.6 ± 1.0, in adults 1.2 ± 0.5 (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Injuries in minors were significantly more severe than those in adults. Possible preventive measures include legislation, education of minors and eye protection.

Clinical analysis of firework-related ocular injuries during Spring Festival 2009

“…In recent years, after the ban was rescinded, ocular injuries due to In this study, those at greatest risk were children and young people 1-35 years. The injury incidence was highest in those aged 1-18 years, consistent with findings from previous studies [3,4,6] that injuries occur quickly and often without warning, not allowing time for an adult to intervene. Therefore, adult supervision is not sufficient to prevent injuries to children.…”

“…Use of fireworks is associated with often severe ocular injuries, instantly resulting in permanently reduced visual acuity or blindness [1][2][3][4]. Reduced visual acuity can affect social life, particularly when binocularity is necessary for work.…”

Ocular injuries from fireworks: the 11-year experience of a US level I trauma center

“…[4][5][6]10 Current precise data regarding the types of injuries and outcomes of patients affected by eye injuries from fireworks are lacking in the United States, but has been reported in other countries. 2,[5][6][7][8][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] The purpose of this study is to better characterize the clinical features, outcomes, and management patterns of ocular trauma from fireworks in the United States through the creation of the most comprehensive data set published to date. We performed a retrospective chart review of 327 patients presenting to our level I trauma center over an 11-year period.…”

Clinico-epidemiological profiles of patients sustaining ocular trauma due to firecrackers during the festive season of Diwali

“…Similar to the findings in some studies, victims were mostly those who were actively involved in igniting the firecracker, rather than bysters injuries occurred more frequently in males. 4,7,8,10 The most common firecrackers causing injury in our study were Single shot crackers.…”

“…Most of these patients had eyelid superficial corneal burns. 10 One patient developed unilateral visual loss (finger count at 1 metre). This was as a result of macular scar formation, cataractous changes in lens as well as due to astigmatism developed as a result of partial thickness corneal tear.…”