Protecting Your Vision This Fourth of July

Approximately 70 percent of firework injuries occur during the month of July, and many victims suffer very serious eye injuries which threaten their vision for the rest of their lives. Fireworks might be amazing to watch, but experienced ophthalmologists all over the country are urging people to leave fireworks to the professionals.

An eye injury caused by fireworks can be incredibly painful and put your vision at serious risk. The following tips will help reduce your risk of eye injury due to fireworks:

• Keep Small Children Away From All Fireworks -- Many parents might think that it's alright to give children small sparklers or other non-exploding firecrackers, but that is untrue. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees, and if the sparks get into the eye of a young child, he could suffer a terrible injury.
  
• Wear Eye Protection -- Fireworks are incredibly bright explosions of light, and even smaller fireworks can go awry. By wearing eye protection, you make sure there is an extra level of eye protection before anything gets to them.
  
• Don't Purchase At-Home Fireworks -- Your children may beg you, and you might be tempted to purchase fireworks from roadside stands, but these fireworks are the biggest cause of injuries. A much better solution is to schedule a time for your family to watch a large, professional fireworks display.
  

  Any type of eye injury can be painful and costly to recover from. For many people who have undergone vision correction surgery like LASIK, LASEK, or other refractive procedures, a serious eye injury might reverse the results of these costly procedures.
  

  You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist near you.