Firecracker Victim to Regain Eyesight

A 6-year-old Oxnard boy whose eyes were injured by an illegal explosive on the Fourth of July is expected to recover his eyesight, his doctor said Monday.

Adolfo Barrera peered into a pipe holding a lighted M-80 when the powerful firecracker exploded in his face, authorities said. The blast knocked the boy to the ground, cut his face and burst blood vessels in his eyes.

“His eyes were filled with blood,” said Dr. John Householder, an Oxnard eye surgeon.

“The impact of the explosive caused a severe impact to [the boy’s] left eye,” Householder said. “I examined him, and couldn’t see much because of the bleeding.”

An examination on Monday yielded good news. Householder could see Adolfo’s retina, which was free of swelling and not torn. The boy’s vision was 20-70. Normal vision is 20-20.

“He’s doing much better,” Householder said. “The chances are small that his sight will be affected permanently. He’s very lucky--that was a heavy blow.”

A retina specialist will examine the child on Wednesday, Householder said.

“One good thing came of this,” he said. “This boy has gotten a lot of prayers, and that sure doesn’t hurt.”