Commentary
Eye MDs offer tips for fireworks safety

HARRISBURG - Fourth of July, Pete*, a 14-year-old boy, was enjoying the lit-up skies and loud booms from the fireworks being set off in his neighborhood. Suddenly, the evening took a terrible turn. A bottle rocket shot into his eye, immediately causing him terrible pain. His family rushed him to the emergency room for treatment. As a result of the injury, Pete developed glaucoma and cataracts. Today, Pete has permanent vision loss in his injured eye because of his bottle rocket injury.

June was Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) wants to remind Pennsylvanians to leave fireworks to professionals. "There is nothing worse than a Fourth of July celebration ruined by someone being hit in the eye with a bottle rocket," said Dr. Kenneth P. Cheng, MD, President-Elect of the PAO and a pediatric ophthalmologist in Pittsburgh. "Even the smallest of fireworks can cause accidental but potentially blinding eye injury."

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 9,000 fireworks related injuries happen each year. Of these, nearly half are head related injuries, with nearly 30 percent of these injuries to the eye. One-fourth of fireworks eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Children are the most common victims of firework abuse, with those fifteen years old or younger accounting for 50 percent of fireworks eye injuries in the United States. Dr. Cheng sees several fireworks related injuries every year around the Fourth of July, some minor, but some serious leading to surgery and permanent vision loss.

"The most common serious injuries are caused by bottle rockets which were felt to be small and harmless," said Dr. Cheng. The rockets fly erratically, often injuring bystanders. There are also incidents from "bottle rocket battles," where teenagers, unaware of the danger, intentionally shoot bottle rockets at one another. Injuries from bottle rockets can include eye lid lacerations, hyphemas (bleeding into the eye) corneal abrasions and lacerations, traumatic cataract, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, and rupture of the eyeball. A blind eye or even complete removal of the eye may be the result of severe injury.

Even fireworks that many people consider safe represent a threat to the eyes. For children under the age of five, apparently harmless sparklers account for one-third of all fireworks injuries. Sparklers can burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

"A sparkler's intense heat can burn not only skin, but also the eyes," said Dr. Cheng. "I've treated several children who suffered corneal burns from sparklers, which can cause deep permanent scars and vision loss."

For a safe and healthy Independence Day celebration, the PAO urges observance of the following tips:

Never let children play with fireworks of any type.

View fireworks from a safe distance: at least 500 feet away, or up to a quarter of a mile for best viewing.

Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.

Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.

Follow directives given by event ushers or public safety personnel.

If you find unexploded fireworks remains, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.

If you get an eye injury from a firework, seek medical help immediately.

"Attending professional fireworks displays is a much safer option than attempting to set them off at home and is a great way for people of all ages to honor our country," said Dr. Cheng.

You can find the names of eye MDs in your area by visiting www.paeyemds.org

For more information on eye health, visit www.GetEyeSmart.org

*The name has been changed for privacy reasons.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology has been working to preserve and protect vision and eye health for Pennsylvania's citizens since 1943. With member physicians throughout the Commonwealth, the PAO strives to be the voice of ophthalmology; making efforts to ensure quality eye care on the legislative and regulatory fronts, while building and maintaining relationships with major insurance carriers within the state.