Ocular fireworks injuries in children

Fourteen children and six adults presented in 1987 with firework-induced ocular injuries following celebrations of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in Tripoli, Libya. The children's injuries were, typically, much more severe than those of the adults. Indigenous modifications to the fireworks, which are intended for children's use, render the devices into very dangerous missiles that, in the cases presented, resulted in the loss of one eye and serious damage to another. Educating children of the proper use of legal fireworks, and parents discouraging their children from modifying fireworks should help reduce the incidence of these severe ocular injuries.