ICO endorses global ban of consumer fireworks
A strategy to prevent blindness and visual impairment from ocular firework injuries
Fireworks are a universal form of entertainment during holiday and festival seasons. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of people across the globe suffer from ocular fireworks injuries. Hundreds of cases of blindness and severe vision loss caused by fireworks could be avoided, if stronger and stricter legislation were in place by national governments.
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) has recently endorsed a global ban of consumer fireworks. ICO encourages national societies of ophthalmology to advocate for a national ban of consumer fireworks in their respective countries, as a strategy to prevent blindness and visual impairment. The position paper has also been endorsed by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).