A Retrospective Observational Study to Assess the Clinical, Demographic Profile and Factors Associated With Poor Visual Outcome Among Patients With Ocular Injuries Encountered With Firecrackers.

Objective: To evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of ocular injuries encountered with firecrackers and identify various factors leading to poor visual outcome. Methods: In this retrospective hospital-based case study, patients presented to our tertiary care hospital with ocular trauma due to firecrackers during 2014-2023 were recruited. Data regarding demographic details, history of injury, visual acuity, details on anterior and posterior segment examination, classification of injury based on Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System, management were collected from the medical records. Results: 471 eyes of 401 patients were included in the study. 346 were males and 55 females. The median age was 13 years. 52.61%(n=211) were bystanders. 40.6% injuries were caused by bomb firecracker. 7.98% had open globe injuries. 86 eyes (21.44%) had presenting visual acuity ranging from counting fingers close to face to perception of light, and 1.99% (8 eyes) had no perception of light. Most common findings were epidefects (50.87%), superficial corneal foreign bodies (27.68%), anterior uveitis (26.18%) and hyphema (23.94%). 12.21% were operated for corneoscleral tear, conjunctival tear and lid lacerations.20.19% had posterior segment involvement.5 cases had endophthalmitis post trauma. Conclusion- Ocular injury due to firecracker can lead to significant vision loss. Open globe injury, poor visual acuity at time of presentation and posterior segment involvement can lead to poor visual outcome. It is important to create awareness, supervise paediatric age group and implement legislative measures to reduce the firecracker eye injuries.