74 firecracker eye injuries treated at two Bengaluru hospitals after Diwali, including children

Several cases of eye injuries from firecrackers have been reported in Bengaluru after Diwali. Minto Eye Hospital and Narayana Nethralaya in the city have recorded at least 74 cases of firecracker eye injuries. The patients include young children, as well as ordinary people who were caught in an accident.

According to Minto Eye Hospital, 28 patients with firecracker eye injuries were treated between November 6 and 9. Ten were children and 18 were adults. The hospital said 11 of the 28 had minor injuries, while 17 were seriously hurt.

The hospital said 12 of the 28 were injured while lighting firecrackers. The other 16 were bystanders hurt in accidents involving crackers lit by others. Of those treated, 25 were from Bengaluru. One patient each came from Doddaballapur, Mysuru and Raichur.

Narayana Nethralaya in Rajajinagar said it treated 46 patients with firecracker eye injuries from November 7 until 11 am on November 10. Twenty-five of them were children. The hospital said 16 were injured by crackers lit by people near them, while 30 were hurt while lighting crackers themselves.

Narayana Nethralaya said 44 patients were treated with medication. One patient underwent surgery for a corneal injury. Another patient has been advised to undergo surgery for a corneal injury.

Dr Naren Shetty, director of Narayana Nethralaya, asked people not to let children light firecrackers on their own and to keep them at a safe distance from firecrackers. He also said people should wear protective glasses while lighting crackers to avoid eye injuries.

Dr Yatish S, head of the cornea department and consultant at Narayana Nethralaya, said most patients are treated with medication in the outpatient department. One patient needed surgery. He said cases of firecracker eye injuries are still being reported despite awareness efforts.