New firework caused severe eye injuries at a public display

A new type of firework caused severe eye injuries and blindness in children and adults at last year’s bonfire night celebrations in Lewes, UK.1 That evening, eight patients presented to our hospital, five with serious eye injuries—two were blinded and the other three have a lifelong glaucoma risk (table⇓). Police inquiries suggest the new explosive was derived from “rope banger deer scarers,” which have a slow burning …