Profile and Management Outcomes of Fireworks-Related Eye Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A 16-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background

Fireworks are a culturally significant part of celebrations in many parts of the world but can lead to blinding injuries.

Objective

To decipher the profile and management outcomes of fireworks-related eye injuries at a tertiary eye hospital in central Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of cases with fireworks-related eye injuries managed at our institution between 2003 and 2019. Demographic information, clinical features at presentation, mode of management, and visual outcome were evaluated at the last follow-up.

Results

A total of 155 eyes of 150 patients with a median age of 10 years [127 male (84.7%) and 69 (46%) right eyes, 76 (50.7%) left eyes, and 5 patients with bilateral injury] were enrolled for the study. Among the injured individuals, 59 (39.3%) were bystanders and 91 (60.7%) had ignited the fireworks. The fireworks included bangers (53; 35.3%), rockets in bottle (42; 28%), firecrackers (41; 27.3%). Closed globe injury (CGI) was the most common type of eye injury (100; 64.5% eyes) while Open globe injury (OGI) was noted in (55; 35.5% eyes). Management used for treatment included penetrating injury repair (55; 35.5%), lens removal/lens implant (51; 32.9%). Corrected distance visual acuity obtained after 6 months was 20/20 to 20/60 (74; 47.7%), 20/70 to 20/200 in (31; 20%), <20/200 to 20/400 in (9; 5.8%) and <20/400 in (41; 26.5%) eyes. Treatment was able to restore vision and salvage blindness in 50 (32.3%) eyes.

Conclusion

Mainly males were found to suffer from fireworks-related eye injuries and the main fireworks responsible for them were bangers. Visual disability remained in one-third of the treated patients.

Graphical abstract

Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use:

http://youtu.be/qmLRsuSnkvk

Keywords:

• fireworks
• injuries
• ocular trauma
• visual loss

Abbreviations

CGI, closed globe injury; OGI, open globe injury; CT, computed tomography; IOFB, intraocular foreign body; CDVA, corrected distance visual acuity; IOL, intraocular lens.

Statement of Ethics

The local ethics committee of the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital approved the protocol and it adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The nature of the study and its possible consequences were explained to study participants. All participants have given their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the research coordinator Mr. Faisal Al Hamidi for his invaluable help in this study.

Author Contributions

Both authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors and the authors declared that this study received no financial support. The authors report no financial interests in terms of the presented study.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript did not receive any funding.