City hospitals have reported an uptick in firecracker related cases

Eye injuries have dominated the reported cases during the festival

Doctors lament limited impact of counseling sessions, preventive measures

Amidst celebrations of Deepavali in Bengaluru, it has also resulted in a surge of eye injuries attributed to unsafe use of firecrackers.

City hospitals have reported an uptick in such cases, with four instances at Minto Eye Hospital, 28 at Shankara Eye Hospital, and 24 across various branches of Narayana Eye Hospital by November 13 evening. At Victoria Hospital’s burns ward, eye injuries dominated the reported cases during the festival, sidelining other burn injuries.

Despite concerted efforts to raise awareness and provide detailed instructions on preventive measures, doctors express concern that the number of eye injuries may be comparable to or even higher than the previous year.

At Shankara Eye Hospital, for example, the tally has reached 28 in just two days, close to the 23 cases reported over the three days of Deepavali celebrations last year.

Doctors lament the limited impact of counseling sessions and other preventive measures, highlighting the persistent issue of eye injuries as the most tragic aspect of the festival each year.

Pre-festival counseling and awareness programs appear to have had little effect, as the reported cases continue to increase.

In Minto Eye Hospital, three out of the four reported cases involved bystanders.

Ophthalmologists anticipate that the true extent and nature of eye injuries will only become apparent next week, as individuals with minor eye injuries often initially visit local clinics before seeking hospital treatment at a later stage.