Firecrackers
Minto Ophthalmic Hospital recorded 52 cases over the past few days, with bystander injuries (29) accounting for a significant proportion. Of these, 19 were classified as simple injuries and 33 as grievous, with at least three patients requiring surgery. A 30-year-old man from Ashok Nagar suffered a scleral tear (a full or partial-thickness break in the sclera, the white outer wall of the eyeball) and underwent surgical repair. Children accounted for 25 cases, including a four-year-old from Uttar Pradesh. Most injuries (18) at the hospital were caused by small crackers. Meanwhile, Narayana Nethralaya recorded 64 cases, of which 33 involved children. At least 23 bystanders were injured. Sankara Eye Hospital recorded 33 cases over the past four days, while Nethradhama Superspeciality Eye Hospital reported 12 cases, including six children.
Cases were also associated with different types of fireworks, including bombs, rockets, flowerpots, sparklers and direct exposure to firecracker particles,” said Dr Yathish S, HOD and consultant, cornea services, Narayana Nethralaya. The child underwent surgery. Doctors performed surgeries to repair two corneal tears. Among them was a nine-year-old boy who sustained an injury as a bystander, suffering from hyphema (bleeding inside the eye) and elevated intraocular pressure. Doctors initiated treatment to control the bleeding and manage the inflammation.