Every year, there are thousands of individuals in the United States that suffer eye injuries from fireworks. The most common injuries include globe rupture, corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, and chemical and thermal burns. All of these conditions can cause eye damage can lead to permanent vision loss. With firework injuries, nearly half of individuals are merely bystanders, so it is essential to be aware of your surroundings when fireworks are being set off.

It is important to follow certain guidelines when handling or watching fireworks. Be sure to respect the perimeters set up for viewing firework shows with a minimum distance of 500 feet away. For those handling fireworks, it is imperative to wear protective eyewear that meets the American National Standards Institute. Also, be sure to refrain from lighting professional-grade fireworks, as this is a job for trained pyrotechnicians.

But what to do in the event that there is eye injury from fireworks? The first thing that should be done is to seek immediate medical attention. Do not rub or rinse your eyes. Do not apply pressure to the eye or attempt to remove any objects stuck in the eye. And lastly do not apply ointments or administer any blood-thinning pain medications.

For more information, please see the following link: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-fireworks-eye-safety