[3-year results of the German nationwide survey on eye injuries caused by fireworks]

Abstract

Background: On festive days worldwide eyes are severely injured by fireworks. The data on the number and severity are to date not registered in Germany.

Objective: How frequent are firework-induced injuries in Germany, who are the affected, how serious are the injuries, which forms of treatment are necessary and how frequent are accompanying injuries?

Method: A German nationwide online-based survey was carried out in all inpatient eye departments and data over the last 3 consecutive years were descriptively analyzed.

Results: From New Years Eve 2016/2017, when 41 eye departments sent in data, the participation could be increased to 51 eye departments in 2018/2019. More than one third (33-39%) of all 1356 patients over 3 years were minors, 60% were younger than 25 years old and roughly 60% of patients were injured as bystanders or in an unclear situation. In total 25% of all eye injuries were considered severe and required inpatient treatment. Accompanying injuries of the other eye, the face and hands were more frequent in minors than in adults. Eyeball ruptures were reported in 10 minors and 38 adults over the 3 years.

Conclusion: Particularly minors and bystanders need better protection.

Keywords: Explosives; Eye; Firworks; Register study; Wounds and injuries.