Bystanders at high risk too

Going by those visiting hospitals seeking treatment for eye injuries, it has been noticed that bystanders observing fireworks are injured just as much as the participants.

One such bystander was 55-year-old M N Gururaj, who suffered serious eye injuries. According to doctors at Minto Eye Hospital, Gururaj is likely to lose vision.

According to data available at Minto hospital, over the past two days of the festivities, 26 people were treated for eye injuries, including three admissions. Six cases were reported on Thursday alone, the last day of the celebrations.

At Nethradhama Eye Hospital, five people were treated for eye injuries.

Narayana Nethralaya saw 32 cases of eye injuries being reported, one of which was serious. A 40-year-old man from Hegganahalli in northern Bengaluru severely damaged the cornea in his right eye when sparks from a flower pot cracker flew into his eyes. He underwent an amniotic corneal graft at the hospital.