Protecting Your Eyes This Diwali: Preventing Firework-Related Eye Infections and Injuries

Introduction  

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of happiness and celebrations where families gather and houses are decked with lamps and lights. The firecracker activity is a major highlight of this festival, bringing more excitement to celebrate, especially for children and adolescents. Though firecrackers are entertaining, the risks these fireworks pose to our eyes are hazardous, which has to be acknowledged by everyone. Explosions with firecrackers cause burns and eye infections and may even result in the loss of vision. Taking proper measures can ensure a safe and joyous festival for everyone while protecting one of our most precious senses-our eyesight. Here are some essential measures to ensure eye safety.

Understanding the Risks

From mild eye irritation to severe damage, fireworks can cause several eye injuries, which include:

• The Sparks and hot debris released after burning the crackers can potentially damage the eye’s surface.
• If fireworks particles enter the eye, it can cause discomfort and infection.
• Fireworks chemicals can cause irritation or eye damage, leading to corneal aberrations.
• The explosion results in blunt force injuries to the eye.

Prevalence of Diwali-related eye injuries  

It is necessary to create public awareness to prevent blindness, as firecrackers are reported to cause irreparable damage to ocular structures, leading to blindness. Here are some of the reports from different studies.  

One of the studies analysed firecracker-related eye injuries treated in 21 patients encountered during Diwali. The study highlights that children’s curiosity and lack of awareness put them at greater risk, especially when unsupervised by elders. Half of them had adequate eyesight, while others had no perception of light due to significant retinal injury. According to the study’s findings, firecracker injuries impact both physical and emotional health.

Another study survey found that once stronger standards were implemented in 2017, there was a considerable reduction in ocular firecracker injuries, illustrating how regulations have contributed to lessening the occurrence of such incidents.

These studies show that creating public awareness concerning the risk of firecrackers is crucial to preventing vision-threatening injuries. Implementing stricter regulations has already proven effective in reducing the number of such accidents. However, more efforts are needed to ensure that both children and young people understand its implications and follow preventive measures during festivals.

Precautionary measures  

• Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from sparks and flying particles, particularly in children.
• Supervise children and keep them away from areas where crackers are lit on fire. Do not handle fireworks too closely; keep a safe distance from them.  
• Do not rub your eyes or scratch them if your hands have been in contact with fireworks, as explosives can release toxic substances.  
• Thoroughly wash your hands: When using fireworks, avoid touching your face, eyes, or mouth, and always wash your hands with a suitable hand wash with warm water.
• Be cautious when using sparklers, as they can reach very high temperatures and may suddenly hit the face with their velocity. Hence, while burning them, keep them at arm’s length and away from your face.
• If in touch with sparks or debris, rinse thoroughly with clean water. If an eye is hurt, avoid rubbing it. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and seek immediate medical assistance. Do not attempt to remove any foreign items from the eye by yourself.
• Teach children about the dangers of fireworks and the importance of eye safety.  
• Use only those fireworks that are permitted and have manufacturer details. Be responsible when you bring crackers. Fire them in an area with open air circulation. Also, make sure to keep them away from alcohol or any inflammable objects separately.
• Ensure that you get the current recommendations issued by health and safety organisations. This can help you to protect your eyes and overall well-being in the right manner.
• Proper soaking of crackers, whether rocket or flowerpot, is important to prevent possible environmental hazards and ensure your safety when disposing of them. Soaking them in water for some time before disposing of them, whether in use or unused, is essential to fully saturate them. This precaution helps neutralise any leftover chemicals or unburned explosives, which reduces the risk of accidental fires or explosions.

Conclusion

Enjoy the festival vibes by taking these precautions to safeguard the eyes. In addition, a little effort by being cautious about any hazard can go a long way in preventing accidents and ensuring that the festival remains a time of happiness and celebration.