Dr. Ken Kreidl, MD, Ophthalmology

Along with July 4th celebrations come injuries from personal fireworks. Eye injuries from fireworks can be especially debilitating. Public fireworks displays are regarded as safe, and have a lower incidence of personal injuries. Personal fireworks have a much higher incidence of injury and need to be conducted with extreme care.

According to the 2024 Fireworks Annual Report, an estimated 14,741 injuries from fireworks were treated in hospital emergency departments. Of the injuries:

• 36% were injuries to the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and face; 39% of these involved the eye
• 73% were to males
• 36% were teens or younger

Firecrackers most commonly caused the eye injuries. Eye injuries included ruptured globes, eye contusions, chemical and thermal burns, lacerations, foreign bodies, and retinal detachments. All of these injuries can cause permanent eye damage and affect long-term vision.

A 16-year-old nearly lost his vision in a fireworks accident in Michigan.

Safety Tips

Here are a few safety tips for viewing fireworks:

• Stay at least 500 feet away from public fireworks displays
• If you encounter any unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Contact the local fire department
• Keep fireworks of all types, including sparklers, away from young children
• Only trained pyrotechnicians should light professional-grade fireworks
• Wear protective eyewear when around personal fireworks displays

What Should I Do If My Eye Gets Injured by Fireworks?

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Do not rub, rinse, or apply pressure to your eye
• Do not remove any objects that may be stuck in the eye
• Avoid putting any drops or ointment in the eye
• Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, which will thin your blood and increase the risk of bleeding

Enjoy your 4th of July celebration!