Firework-related ocular trauma in Pernambuco, Brazil

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Trauma Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Firework-related ocular trauma is a significant cause of eye injuries.
• Understanding the characteristics and risk factors is crucial for prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe demographic and clinical features of firework-related ocular trauma victims.
• To identify risk factors associated with poor visual prognosis in these patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records from January 2012 to December 2018.
• Inclusion of 314 patients (370 eyes) treated at two reference centers in Pernambuco, Brazil.
• Analysis of injury characteristics, treatment, and final visual acuity, with a focus on patient origin.

Main Results:

• The majority of victims were male (79.0%), with a mean age of 25.6 years.
• Ocular surface (68.1%) and eyelids (24.6%) were most affected; 10.0% had final visual acuity <20/400.
• Patients from rural areas or other states had a 5.46-fold higher risk of blindness compared to those from the metropolitan region.

Conclusions:

• Firework eye injuries disproportionately affect young males, particularly from economically active age groups.
• Geographic origin is a significant predictor of visual outcomes, with rural populations facing greater risk.
• Targeted public health interventions are needed to mitigate blindness risk in vulnerable populations.