Bangaluru,: While Diwali celebrations are underway across Karnataka, cases of eye injuries caused by firecrackers continue to be reported from major cities. In the past 24 hours alone, 29 people have received treatment for firecracker-related eye injuries at Narayana Nethralaya in Bengaluru, with doctors stating that around 60 per cent of the injured are children.
Speaking to media, Dr. Yathish, ophthalmologist at Narayana Nethralaya’s Rajajinagar branch, said most patients had sustained minor injuries and were treated without requiring surgery. However, one patient suffered severe damage to the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye, and required immediate surgical intervention.”Since yesterday, we have treated 29 people injured by firecrackers. Around 60 per cent of them were children, while the remaining were adults,” Dr. Yathish said.
He informed that by 8 am on Sunday, 25 patients had received treatment at the hospital, and four more patients arrived later in the day. Of these additional four patients, one was a child and remaining three were adults.According to a separate hospital report released on November 9, out of the 25 patients treated till morning, 15 were children below the age of 18 and 10 were adults. The group included 16 men and nine women. Four were bystanders who were not bursting crackers themselves, while 21 sustained injuries while bursting firecrackers. Of the 25 patients, 24 received medical treatment, while one required surgery.
Children At Risk Even Without Bursting Crackers:Doctors have issued a strong warning that children can suffer serious eye injuries even if they do not personally burst firecrackers. Many accidents occur while children are walking on roads or standing nearby watching others light firecrackers.”Nearly 60 per cent of firecracker-related injuries among children occur even when they are not lighting firecrackers themselves. Such accidents can happen while they are walking on the road or watching others burst crackers,” Dr. Yathish explained.He said sparks and flying debris from crackers can hit eyes of bystanders from a distance, causing corneal burns and injuries.
Doctors Urge Safe CelebrationDoctors noted that compared to last year, the number of patients requiring surgery has decreased, indicating better awareness and safer varieties of crackers. However, there has been no significant reduction in the overall number of firecracker-related injuries.”Although the number of patients requiring surgery has come down compared to last year, people are still getting injured. Despite repeated warnings, such incidents continue to occur,” the doctor said.He urged families to take necessary precautions while bursting firecrackers and ensure that children maintain a safe distance and wear protective,
“People should celebrate Diwali safely. Even a moment of carelessness while bursting firecrackers can cause serious eye injuries. We must ensure that our celebrations do not put children or others at risk,” Also Doctors have advised public to remain cautious throughout festive season, particularly while bursting firecrackers in public places, crowded residential areas and while using high-decibel sound crackers.”he added.
Hubballi Hospitals Make Emergency Arrangements:Meanwhile, major hospitals in Hubballi-Dharwad have made necessary arrangements to handle possible firecracker-related emergencies during Diwali festival.Chitaguppi Hospital has arranged emergency treatment facilities for burn injuries, eye injuries and other serious cases. A team of specialist doctors has been kept ready to provide immediate medical assistance round the clock. Three beds have been reserved exclusively for emergency cases at Chitaguppi Hospital.
At Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMC-RI) Hospital, 50 beds have been earmarked for emergency treatment. However, these beds have not been reserved exclusively for Diwali, as the burns department remains prepared to handle such cases throughout the year, KMC-RI Superintendent Dr. Eshwar Hasabi told media.”Specialist teams, including ophthalmologists and plastic surgeons, have been kept on standby to treat burn injuries, eye injuries and other serious conditions.These precautionary measures have been taken based on previous Diwali incidents, when firecracker victims from Hubballi-Dharwad and neighbouring districts like Belagavi, Gadag and Uttara Kannada were admitted to hospitals.”
Medical facilities and staff have been prepared to ensure that injured people receive immediate treatment without delay.Speaking about arrangements, Hubballi Corporation Health Officer Dr. Sridhar Dandappanavar said objective was to ensure immediate medical assistance in case of any emergency during festival. Treatment will be provided based on severity of injuries, and specialist teams are ready to provide eye treatment and perform surgeries if required.Doctors have appealed to public not to be careless while bursting firecrackers during Diwali celebrations and to immediately visit nearest hospital in case of any accident without delay.
