The eyes are crucial organs that allow us to comprehend our surroundings and enjoy the beauty of the world. Certain actions and things in our daily lives, however, can endanger our eye health. Summer hobbies may take you anywhere, from golf to yard work, viewing fireworks or even the ER. Sadly, many such appointments are for major eye injuries. Unsurprisingly, fireworks-related incidents are the most common.
It's that time of year when people start thinking about their 4th of July celebrations, which, as we all know, usually include a lot of fireworks. As a result, in addition to being Cataract Awareness Month, June is also Firework Eye Safety Month.
Fireworks are a popular feature of many festivities across the world, but they may be dangerous if you don't take care. Eye injuries are rather common. These injuries might result in irreversible vision loss. Chemical and thermal burns can cause blindness or persistent eye issues. Fireworks can cause fatal injuries in some situations.
Common Potential Hazards to the Eyes
Our eyes are sensitive important and critical organs, and we must be aware of the possible hazards they confront in our daily lives. Fireworks and paintballs are two of the most usually neglected forms of eye damage. Despite their appeal as forms of fun, they can cause considerable threats to our eyes if necessary measures are not taken.
Fireworks are associated with parties, festivals, and special occasions. They create breathtaking displays of light, color, and sound that captivate audiences all around the world. However, if not handled properly, fireworks can cause catastrophic eye injury. The explosive nature of fireworks, along with the tremendous heat and flying debris, can cause eye injuries that are severe and irreparable.
Retinal detachment, corneal abrasions, and burns are among the most typical eye injuries brought on by fireworks. Depending on the amount of the injury, these injuries can cause mild to severe visual impairment. In certain situations, vision loss is irreversible, affecting an individual's quality of life and living.
Paintballs, which are often used in recreational paintball activities, pose a similar risk to eye health. Paintballs are tiny, spherical projectiles that are launched at great speeds, frequently reaching 200 miles per hour. Injuries from paintballs hitting the eye include globe rupture, hyphema (bleeding in the eye's anterior chamber), and corneal abrasions. The powerful collision might cause substantial eye injury and requires emergency medical intervention. The degree of the injury is determined by several factors, including the paintball's velocity and closeness to the eye at the time of contact.
According to statistics, eye injuries caused by fireworks and paintballs are more prevalent than one may think. The frequency of firework-related eye injuries tends to surge dramatically during Fireworks Eye Safety Month, which is marked annually in June. Each year, hundreds of individuals suffer eye injuries as a result of fireworks and paintballs across the world. These injuries can have long-term effects on individuals, impacting them physically, emotionally, and financially.
In 2020, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) projected that 15,600 injuries from fireworks were treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States. 66% of all injuries occurred between June 21 and July 21, 2020, coinciding with the July 4th holiday.
Fireworks were responsible for 1,600 emergency department visits. Sparklers were responsible for about 900 injuries. A recent analysis by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) discovered a considerable increase in fireworks-related injuries. Injuries from fireworks increased by 25% in the United States between 2006 and 2021.
The following results were reported in the CPSC's "2020 Fireworks Annual Report" for the one-month period before Independence Day:
- Males were responsible for 71% of fireworks-related injuries, while females accounted for 29%.
- Individuals between the ages of 25 and 44 had the highest risk of injury (35%).
- Teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 had the second highest prevalence of injuries (25%).
Fireworks and paintballs can cause a variety of eye ailments, with the effects ranging from momentary blurriness to serious vision loss. Corneal abrasions and burns can produce pain, redness, and light sensitivity, impairing vision. A dangerous disorder called retinal detachment, in which the retina separates from the supporting tissue can cause partial or total vision loss in the afflicted eye. In a similar way, paintball injuries can result in ocular damage, resulting in acute visual impairment and potential long-term repercussions.
To safeguard our eyes from potential injury, it is essential to identify the risks involved with fireworks and paintballs. Below, we will look at how to treat eye injuries caused by these risks, how to safeguard your eyes when handling fireworks, and how to preserve general eye health. We can protect our eyesight and limit the occurrence of fireworks and paintball-related eye injuries by knowing the dangers and taking precautionary actions.
Remedies for Eye Injury
Fireworks and paintball eye injuries need to be treated right away with the proper treatments in order to prevent more harm and speed up healing. Knowing how to react in such instances can make a big difference in terms of retaining eyesight and avoiding difficulties. When dealing with an eye injury caused by fireworks or paintballs, follow these critical steps:
Keep calm and don’t panic: It is critical to remain calm and controlled in order to analyze the situation appropriately and give the required aid. Panicking can aggravate the injury and impede appropriate treatment.
Avoid rubbing the eye: Rubbing an eye that has been wounded can exacerbate the injury and perhaps introduce foreign objects, raising the risk of infection. Encourage the wounded individual not to rub or touch their eye.
Rinse the afflicted eye with clean water: If feasible, gently wash the affected eye with clean water to eliminate any dirt or chemicals. Rinse the eye with a moderate stream of lukewarm water, taking care not to apply too much pressure or cause more discomfort.
Protect the eye: After cleaning, cover the wounded eye with a clean, sterile dressing or a hard eye shield. This helps to avoid unintentional touch, additional harm, and infection risk. It is critical to avoid exerting direct pressure on the eye.
Seek quick medical assistance: Regardless of the severity of the injury, seeking expert medical attention as soon as possible is critical. For a comprehensive assessment and suitable treatment, contact an eye care professional or go to the local emergency clinic. Fireworks and paintball eye injuries need expert care to avoid complications and maintain eyesight.
In addition to knowing what to do, it is a good idea to keep a well-stocked eye injury first aid kit on hand, especially if you participate in activities involving fireworks or paintballs. The following items must be included in your kit:
Sterile saline solution: In the event of chemical exposure, a sterile saline solution can be used to cleanse the eye or to eliminate foreign particles. This aids in the cleansing of the eye and reduces the chance of infection.
Sterile eye coverings or patches: These coverings can be used to cover and guard the wounded eye, acting as a barrier against the elements and reducing the chance of future harm.
Stiff eye shield: To further support and protect the eye, a stiff eye shield can be employed. It reduces the danger of any damage developing by preventing unintentional rubbing or contact with the affected eye.
Eyewash cups and eye droppers: these can help gently cleanse the eye with sterile saline solution or clean water to eliminate foreign objects or chemicals.
Contact information for an ophthalmologist: Keep the contact information of an eye care specialist close at hand to guarantee fast access to professional aid in the event of an eye injury.
Protect your eyes from Potential Hazards
Prevention is always better than cure, and taking proactive actions to protect yourself from the hazards of fireworks to the eyes, is critical. Here are some pointers to keep your eyes safe:
Proper ways of utilizing fireworks: If you intend to use fireworks, it is critical that you closely adhere to safety requirements. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions at all times. Keep a safe distance between yourself and the fireworks, and light them in an open location away from people and combustible things. Never, ever aim fireworks toward anybody or anything, including yourself. You can drastically minimize the danger of eye damage by using fireworks safely.
Eye protection when using paintball: it is critical to wear adequate safety equipment. Make sure you have a high-quality paintball mask that completely covers your face, including your eyes. The mask should feature a sturdy, impact-resistant lens that is built exclusively for paintball games. Remember that normal sunglasses or glasses will not protect you from high-velocity paintballs.
Other precautions: In addition to specialized safeguards for explosives and paintballs, it is critical to emphasize general eye health. To catch any vision irregularities early on, schedule frequent eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Eat a balanced diet full of nutrients that are good for the eyes, such as lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Particularly if you use a computer for lengthy periods of time, limit your screen time and often take breaks to rest your eyes.
Can people with low vision enjoy fireworks show and play paintballs? The answer depends on the situation of the individual. People who have moderate vision loss can possibly enjoy the fireworks show with their family by wearing low vision aids like optical glasses or Acesight E-glasses. However, the field of view of optical glasses can be limited and it’s not available for a wide range of magnifications, while the E-glasses can possibly provide a better experience. Also, we won’t recommend people with eyesight loss play paintballs or fireworks unless their safety can be guaranteed and their family also agrees. On the other hand, wearing Acesight VR E-glasses to enjoy wonderful fireworks show with family on TV is also a good idea to spend a lovely time with your loved ones.
References:
https://www.sweye.com/blog/general/protect-your-eyes-while-using-fireworks/
https://nationaltoday.com/fireworks-eye-safety-month/
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/06/how-protect-your-eyes-most-common-summer-injuries
