Of the 10 to 12 patients Dr Ashok Sharma, director, Cornea Centre, treats this time of the year, half suffer from severe injuries due to firework accidents during Diwali that result in blindness. “One child lost his eyelashes and eyebrows, then his vision deteriorated rapidly because cracker powder had damaged the surrounding tissue,” he says.
What worsened matters was when a family member applied ghee to his eye, hoping it would soothe his condition. Dr Sharma first administered antibiotic drops after cleaning foreign particles. The child had a limbal ischemia (insufficient blood flow to the limbus, which is the border between the cornea and sclera in the eye).
“We had to do a graft till his condition improved. After six weeks, the child’s eyelid began to stick to the eyeball. The patient had a major operation as his conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eye and lining the eyelids, stuck to the cornea. We also did a stem cell transplant. Despite all treatment, the child had a major loss of vision,” explains the doctor.
Another child, who suffered a very serious cracker injury, had blood spilling into the space between the cornea and iris and an eyeball rupture. “We extracted the blood and fixed the rupture, but the eye began to shrink after a month. Then he had retinal detachment. That’s why we insist that anybody who has suffered a cracker injury in the eye should immediately rush to the ophthalmologist,” adds Dr Sharma.
Dr Rameet Singh, Associate Director, Emergency Medicine, Livasa Hospital, Mohali, says that on Diwali, they see a surge in burn injuries, respiratory distress, and eye or skin irritation caused by crackers and pollution. “Avoid excessive firecracker use, stay indoors if you have respiratory issues, and keep first aid handy.”
Watch the laser pointers
Prof Vishali Gupta of the Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, says that apart from injuries caused by firecrackers, the department is also seeing damage to the retina caused by laser pointers that children play with and may focus on each other’s eyes. “While there is no visible injury, laser damages the centre of the retina, which is the most crucial part and may result in permanent damage to the eyesight,” she says.
“More than the firecrackers themselves, their remnants and particles fall back on the ground after they burn out at great speed and may hurt the eyes of bystanders. These can damage all the structures, including the cornea, lens and retina,” says Dr Gupta, who recommends wearing protective eyeglasses and a visor to cover your eyes and face. “Do not rub your eyes or use eye drops. It is advisable not to wash with water, as the patient may have an open injury and cause more damage. Gently cover the eye with a sterile eye pad or wear glasses and do not touch the eye and consult the nearest eye specialist,” recommends Dr Gupta.
What about burns?
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Dr Atul Parashar, HoD, Plastic Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh, says that most burn and hand injuries seen during Diwali are entirely avoidable and completely preventable with simple care and caution. “Avoid wearing loose or synthetic clothes while lighting diyas, candles or crackers and keeping an arm’s distance. Never pick up crackers that have failed to explode, as they can cause serious hand and facial injuries. Wear shoes while bursting crackers to protect your feet, and do not burst crackers while holding them in your hand. This is often done as a show of bravery or cool behaviour but it is extremely dangerous,” he says, having done finger amputations in severe burns.
What to do if a burn occurs?
Immediately pour clean, cool water over the burnt area until the burning sensation stops, according to Dr Parashar. “Do not apply toothpaste, ink, butter or any household substances. Remove rings, bangles, or tight accessories before swelling begins. If clothes catch fire, remember the rule: Stop, drop and roll. Use a thick rug or blanket to cut off the oxygen supply and extinguish the fire. Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby while lighting candles or crackers,” he says.
