I always wear an old welding mask with a thick piece of polycarb aswell as welding gloves after that, had a few near misses since (exploding disks and the like!)
I started doing that when i couldn't find my old goggles.
If nothing else, it means any stray sparks don'#t burn ears and nose as much.
seeing that pic has re-inforced my desire to wear it!
Hope you recover mate...
Heres a thought... hobbyists, like me. More at risk 'cos of inexperience, or less at risk 'cos of not being too complacent?