Deepavali is a festival of lights. Let us not make it dark by sustaining injuries to the eye while bursting crackers. It has been found that 45% of the ocular injuries in children occur at home, of which the cracker injuries constitute as high as 10%.
There has been an increased incidence of cracker injuries of the eye in the past few years, mainly because of the negligence of the parents and the failure to follow the protocols while bursting crackers. The injuries referred to our hospital range from minimal injuries like corneal abrasion to major injuries like traumatic cataract, corneal tear, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage and rupture globe.
There are three aspects of injuries to eye by crackers. One is heat or fire. The other is the force with which it hits the eye. The last is the chemical nature of the cracker, which causes immense damage. Indeed any given injury is a mixture of all these three, in various proportions.
Commonest causes are the bombs and crackers, which blast on lighting. Other common injuries are due to poor quality flower pots which blast, bhoomi chakras and rockets. Some children cover a mud pot or a tin can or a Diya over a blasting cracker, and the broken pieces of the pot can be really sharp missiles.
Most of the cracker injuries occur in children less than 15 years of age, who indulge most in bursting crackers. Eye injuries in this age group result, not only in a physical disability but also affects psychologically leading to personality disorders creating a barrier for future opportunities of success.
In case of cracker injuries, the cornea could be affected, leading to damaged eyesight. The experts say that the rocket injuries are the worst, since they rupture the eyeballs and are very difficult to salvage. Blast injuries could lead to superficial burns, wherein certain metallic parts could enter the eye and damage it.
Safety is the best way to save sight and the most effective treatment for eye injuries is prevention.
The DO’s & DONT’s while having fun with crackers, which will enable one to save or protect the eyes and vision during bursting of crackers.
DD's
1 Always burst crackers in an open space (preferably open ground or field).
2 Avoid bursting crackers within the house premises especially kitchen.
3 Always burst under the supervision of elders.
4 Always go for best quality crackers.
5 Always wear protective footwear.
6 Always have the long lighting wand for lighting crackers, so that the distance is maintained.
7 Always have adequate security measures like water, sand and if possible fire extinguisher.
8 Always return to a safe distance after lighting the crackers.
9 Preferably wear cotton clothes during bursting crackers.
10 Contact the nearest Eye Specialist immediately in emergencies.
Dont’s
1 Do not wear loose clothes.
2 Do not hold the crackers in your hand and light.
3 Do not select harmful crackers like rockets & atom bombs.
4 Do not attempt to relight a cracker which was already lit and did not burst.
5 Do not burst near petrol / diesel vehicles or any inflammable articles.
