A little care can ensure a safe Deepavali, say doctors

Experts say that celebrating Diwali with care can prevent accidents such as visual impairment, hearing loss, breathing problems among others.

“The spark from fireworks can damage eyelids and eyebrows. The eye may also lose its moisture due to the smoke emitted by crackers,” said Dr Shashidhar, ophthalmologist, Minto Eye Hospital.

He added that an eye specialist should be consulted whenever there is an injury instead of attempting self-medication.

“Children under the age of 15 years should not be allowed to play with crackers that may cause injuries,” he added.

Dr Ravi Dorairaj, medical director of Agarwals’ Eye Hospital said that every year during Diwali, the hospital receives an average of at least 22 cases of eye injuries a day due to crackers, that are both minor and major. Some may even need surgeries, he added.

He also said children must be prevented from firing crackers like rockets and bombs.

According to doctors, these may cause damage to the cornea, bleeding inside the eye, detachment of the retina, injury to the optic nerve among others. They added that apart from eye injuries, accidents due to burns are also a common occurrence.

Nethradhama Super Specialty Eye Hospital, Narayana Netralaya and Shankara Eye Hospital will be open on the day of Diwali for people in need of treatment.