Urgent Warning from Ophthalmologists to Party-Goers this Fourth of July Weekend: Leave Fireworks to the Trained Professionals

Potentially blinding eye injuries top list of hazards from even small backyard sparklers.

Fireworks can leave you blind or disfigured. They can cause everything from excruciating burns on your cornea to a complete rupture of the eyeball to retinal detachments, eye muscle damage, permanent scarring and traumatic cataracts. And, most importantly, these injuries can almost always be avoided.

Ophthalmologists at Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia are preparing again for what is expected to be the busiest time of the year for emergency room visits due to fireworks injuries.

Last year, in just one month, fireworks sent over 6,000 people nationwide to emergency rooms with injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of those injuries were eye related.  "The public needs to know that even small sparklers can cause devastating eye injuries and burns," said Julia A. Haller, MD, ophthalmologist-in-chief at Wills Eye.  "When they burn at 2,000 degrees, these innocent looking sparklers or other small fireworks can quickly damage your eyesight and forever change your life," she added.

Wills Eye Institute urges people to keep a safe distance from fireworks – staying at least 500 feet away – to not touch unexploded fireworks, but instead contact your local police or fire department, to wear appropriate eye protection when in doubt, and to seek medical help immediately if you are injured.

About Wills Eye Institute

Wills Eye Institute is a global leader in ophthalmology, established in 1832 as the nation's first hospital specializing in eye care. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Wills Eye as one of America's top three ophthalmology centers since the survey began in 1990. Wills Eye is a premier training site for all levels of medical education. Its resident and post-graduate training programs are among the most competitive in the country. One of the core strengths of Wills is the close connection between innovative research and advanced patient care. Wills provides the full range of primary and subspecialty eye care for improving and preserving sight, including cataract, cornea, retina, emergency care, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology, oculoplastics, pathology, pediatric ophthalmology and ocular genetics, refractive surgery and retina. Ocular Services include the Wills Laser Correction Center, Low Vision Service, and Diagnostic Center. Its 24/7 Emergency Service is the only one of its kind in the region. Wills Eye also has a network of nine multi-specialty, ambulatory surgery centers throughout the tri-state area. To learn more, please visit www.willseye.org.