Fourth of July Fireworks Eye Safety

 

Every Fourth of July, families, friends, and communities come together throughout the country to view firework displays. And every year, we encourage the public to leave the fireworks to the professionals and go to a public display. We remind the patients that consumer fireworks are dangerous both to those who set them off and to bystanders. Here are the facts:

·        The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 10,000 injuries and 12 firework-related deaths in 2019.

·        A 2017 study showed that 65 percent of people injured by fireworks are bystanders.

·        An April 2020 study in JAMA Ophthalmology, showed that an estimated 34,548 firework-related eye injuries occurred between 1999 and 2017, with approximately 65 percent occurring in children. The most common injuries were ocular burns, ocular foreign body, and conjunctival irritation. Most injuries occurred at home (75 percent) with consumer use of fireworks during the 4th of July. Although all types of consumer fireworks are dangerous, bottle rockets caused the most severe injuries, such as ruptured globes.

There is significant variability among state and county laws regarding the use of consumer fireworks. Setting off fireworks at home is illegal in some states. For people in states in which it’s legal, here’s how to make sure your backyard celebration doesn’t end in the ER:

·        Don't pick up duds and misfires: Fireworks nearly cost an Ohio firefighter his sight. He took all the right precautions for his backyard Fourth of July fireworks celebration. But a split-second decision to inspect a "dud" was almost fatal.

·        Supervise children closely: Sparklers seem like harmless fun for the kids, but they are responsible for about 1,400 eye injuries each year. Even those tiny poppers or snappers can pose dangers.

·        Wear protective eyewear: Ophthalmologists recommend American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved protective eyewear. Stop by any hardware store and pick up some safety glasses for the entire family.

If you or someone you know experiences a fireworks injury please schedule an appointment at D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, or Facebook so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331, 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 and 255 Park Avenue, Suite 606, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609.

Can Dr. Google Diagnose Eye Problems?

 

A recent study reported at a Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology concluded that while eye health information they found online can be helpful in informing patients with eye problems about conditions, often these online symptom checkers do not arrive at the correct diagnosis and actually provide the wrong recommendation on what to do, recommending self-care at home instead of calling an eye doctor or going to the emergency room. The study examining the diagnoses generated by WebMD Symptom Checker showed the online tool was correct only 26 percent of the time in making the right diagnosis and recommendation. With the wide availability of telehealth eye visits even if you are unable to get to an eye doctor’s office you would still have the benefit of “real doctor” evaluation and discussion in evaluation and recommendations.

If you or someone you know needs information or urgent care please know we always have an eye doctor on call and are happy to assist or schedule a telehealth appointment. Call us at D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, or Facebook so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331, 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 and 255 Park Avenue, Suite 606, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609.

Sunglasses Are A Must!

 

Did you know that sunglasses are a “must wear” item! The skin around the eye is delicate, and an area of some of the thinnest skin on the body making it more susceptible to damage. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can damage not only the skin, but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. Specifically UV damage can cause solar keratitis-an inflammation of the cornea, cataracts and even eyelid skin cancer. Sunglasses help to prevent skin cancer around the eyes and good shades also guard against vision loss as if you wear sunglasses, you decrease your risk over your lifetime of cataract formation. Invest in fashion-bigger is better! But, be sure to choose sunglasses that offer broad spectrum coverage, specifically protection against UVA and UVB rays. Be stylish and be safe! Learn more about UV eye protection & sunglasses at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, or Facebook so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331, 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 and 255 Park Avenue, Suite 606, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609.