Firework-Related Ocular Trauma Higher in Areas Without Firework Bans
A case-control study featured in Firework JAMA Ophthalmology revealed higher odds of firework-related ocular trauma in areas where fireworks were legal compared to banned regions. The retrospective study took place from June 28 to July 11 each year between 2016 and 2022 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a level 1 trauma center. The study aimed to assess the association between local bans on fireworks and rates of firework-related ocular injuries in Washington state.
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Of the 230 ocular trauma injuries during the study period, 94 were , predominantly affecting young males. The odds of a firework-related injury were higher in males (OR, 3.3) and those younger than 18 years (OR, 3.1). The majority of patients were non-Hispanic White (60%), followed by Hispanic or Latino/a (17%) and Black (12%). Urban residents comprised 84% of patients, with 5% of rural residents having related injuries compared to 1% with non-firework-related injuries (OR, 7.6).
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Common -related injuries included corneal abrasion (52%), hyphema (32%), and corneal foreign bodies (15%). Ocular trauma had higher odds in areas where fireworks were legal compared to banned areas (OR, 2.0). Vision-threatening injuries were more likely in firework-related injuries (OR, 2.1), with higher odds of corneal abrasion (OR, 2.6), corneal foreign body (OR, 7.8), and hyphema (OR, 5.3).
Despite limitations such as the single-center nature of the study and lack of recorded purchase dates, the findings suggest an association between ocular trauma and the legality of fireworks in Washington. While the study design does not establish causation, it generates hypotheses for future investigations into the relationship between legislation, -related ocular injuries, and vision-threatening trauma.
