Fireworks resulted in at least 11 eye-related injuries nationwide during New Year's Eve celebrations. By noon on New Year’s Day, six patients had been treated at Helsinki University Hospital’s (HUS) Eye Clinic.
The accidents occurred in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Porvoo, and Häme, according to HUS senior ophthalmologist Tero Kivelä.
Five of the six cases were minor and are expected to heal well. The injured included two children under 15, two teenagers under 18, and two adults over 35.
The most severe case involved a child who triggered a spherical explosive, found in a schoolyard, while attempting to light it. The explosion caused a severe burn to the child's eye, requiring overnight surgery.
One of the more severe cases involved a child under 15, who along with friends, discovered a spherical firework in a schoolyard. While attempting to ignite it, the firework exploded in the child’s hand, causing serious burn injuries to the eye that required emergency surgery overnight. The child also suffered burns to their hands and face, though the other eye was uninjured.
“In cases of severe burns, the final outcome is typically clear only after several months,” Kivelä said.
Three of the six patients were bystanders struck by fireworks. Only one adult patient had consumed alcohol at the time of the accident.
“None of the injured were wearing protective goggles. Most likely, the injuries would have been less severe if they had been,” Kivelä said.
Last year by noon on New Year’s Day, the HUS region reported eight eye injury cases.
More injuries reported
National figures on New Year’s fireworks-related eye injuries will only be available later in January after hospitals respond to a survey compiled by Kivelä. Last year, at least nine people nationwide required hospital care for eye injuries caused by fireworks.
In Jyväskylä, Hospital Nova treated three young men overnight for fireworks-related eye injuries
.In Oulu, the university hospital reported no fireworks-related eye injuries in its emergency department. However, the hospital experienced congestion due to substance-related poisonings, accidents, and assault-related injuries, said physician Emma Leppänen.
“We’ve seen numerous cases of intoxication and injuries caused by accidents or assaults,” Leppänen explained.
In Pirkanmaa and Varsinais-Suomi, one severe eye injury from fireworks was reported in each region.