Emergency departments across Bengaluru's major hospitals witnessed a disturbing surge in firecracker-related eye injuries during the Diwali festivities, with medical professionals working round-the-clock to handle the influx of trauma cases.
Hospitals Stretched to Capacity
Multiple healthcare facilities, including Narayana Nethralaya and Minto Eye Hospital, reported being flooded with patients suffering from serious eye injuries caused by fireworks. The casualty wards resembled emergency battle zones as doctors attended to everything from minor burns to severe corneal damage and potential vision-threatening injuries.
Alarming Injury Patterns Emerge
Medical staff observed several concerning trends among the injured patients:
- Rocket-related injuries causing direct corneal damage
- Burst cracker incidents leading to chemical burns and foreign body penetration
- Delayed ignition cases where victims approached fireworks that suddenly exploded
- Bystander injuries affecting children and elderly family members
Doctors Issue Urgent Safety Warning
Ophthalmologists expressed deep concern about the preventable nature of these injuries. "We're seeing completely avoidable tragedies that could leave permanent visual impairment," stated a senior eye specialist from Narayana Nethralaya. Medical professionals emphasized that many victims were not directly handling fireworks but became unintended casualties.
Critical Safety Measures Recommended
Healthcare experts outlined essential precautions for future celebrations:
- Maintain safe distance from all fireworks
- Wear protective eyewear during displays
- Supervise children constantly
- Have first aid kits readily available
- Seek immediate medical attention for any eye injury
The medical community hopes this year's alarming statistics will prompt greater public awareness and stricter safety protocols during future festive seasons.
