Deepavali: Awareness on eye injuries gains momentum

Deepavali lamps are put up on sale at a stall on DVG Road. DH PHOTO/RANJU P

Deepavali, the festival of lights, and eye injuries go hand in hand. Aimed at reducing such casualties, the doctors at the Minto Eye Hospital have embarked on an awareness campaign several days ahead of the festival.

Addressing media persons recently, Dr Sujatha Rathore, Director, Minto Eye Hospital, said: “There has been a slight decline in the number of eye injury cases since 2014. But the number of patients continues as not everybody follows precautionary measures.”

During 2013, while the hospital reported 61 cases, 65 of them were reported in 2014. However, after this, the number of cases drastically decreased to 32 during 2015 and about 33 incidents in 2016 followed by 45 in 2017. In about 14% of the cases, children who are aged below 14 years are affected, according to the ophthalmic study.

“To prevent the injuries during the festival, we are conducting awareness campaign at schools and colleges this year,” said Sujatha.

“Most of these incidents can be avoided if children and their parents follow necessary steps while bursting crackers. Wearing helmets is also one such step. Adult supervision is necessary while children burst crackers,” she added.

She also said boys suffer injuries more often than girls. “Not only this, but the cases of bystanders getting affected due to the bursting of firecrackers are also increasing,” said Sujatha.

After an eye injury

Don't

* Rub the eye immediately after the injury.

* Wash the eye.

Dos

* Place a clean handkerchief on the eye.

* Rush to the doctor immediately.