Q&A: Patient shares story on how a firework malfunction led to vision loss
In 2019, Lisa Dickerson of Newton, Iowa, was celebrating the Fourth of July with family and friends when a firework unexpectedly malfunctioned, setting off a series of explosions on the ground. Dickerson was hit directly in the face and burned badly. She was rushed to University of Iowa Health Care, where she had multiple surgeries. Ultimately, she lost vision in her right eye and now wears a prosthetic.
Five years later, Dickerson is in a much better place, but she hasn’t forgotten how that day changed her life. She shared her story at a recent doctor’s appointment.
Can you tell us a little bit more about what happened that day?
We had a bunch of fireworks, including these small rockets that you set on the ground. We set up a row of maybe four or five and lit them. The first one malfunctioned and exploded on the ground. That caused the others to tip over.
As I was walking away, one went off and hit me in the back—not too badly, just some burns. I thought it was over and didn’t realize one was still on the ground. I turned around, and it hit me right in the face. I went to the emergency room at our local hospital, but they don’t have a burn unit, so they rushed me by ambulance to UI Health Care in Iowa City. I had surgery that night, and then another the next day. It’s all kind of a blur.
I have a 14-year-old and a 10-year-old, and they were there when it happened. It was traumatic for them. They knew something was wrong and saw me go to the hospital. During recovery, especially the first couple weeks, I had to be in total darkness—no lights, no TV. I’d sit inside and watch them play outside. It was really hard. But they absolutely understand the risks of fireworks now.
How are things now?
At first it was a huge life transition. Not being able to see out of one eye affects everything. Even walking—especially up and down stairs—can be really difficult. My depth perception is totally different. I was a waitress and eventually went back to work, but it took about a year and a half to two years. I was still nervous about balance. Everything changed.
Now it’s a lot better. I still have light sensitivity and get headaches sometimes, but it’s much improved. It’s something I’ll deal with for the rest of my life. Every day brings something new—like realizing I can’t see something on one side. People forget I’m blind on that side, especially because of the prosthetic lens. They'll be talking to me or handing me something, and I won’t even know they’re there.
Had you used fireworks at home before this?
Yes, it was always at family gatherings—kid-friendly with cookouts and swimming during the day. Then we’d light fireworks at night. In our neighborhood, we’d take turns lighting them.
Is there anything you’d say to others—especially kids—about fireworks?
You can take all the precautions, but things can still go wrong. Wearing safety glasses might seem like a small thing, but it could save your sight.
Lisa Dickerson, of Newton, Iowa, lost vision in her right eye after she was struck in the face by a firework that unexpectedly malfunctioned in 2019. The photos show her in various stages of recovery.
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