This Diwali, Keep an 'Eye' on Safety

HYDERABAD: Diwali as we all know is a ‘festival of lights’ and signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. The homes are decorated with lights and diyas,  the skies with firecrackers which some believe is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one’s beliefs, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state.

Measures that can be followed to avoid eye injury and infections due to use of firecrackers

• Cracker injuries occur due to the pressure wave created because of explosion which causes severe injuries around the eyes, eye lids and cornea. The clay pallet that is at the bottom of the firecracker can fly at you, which could cause aberrations in the cornea, the outer-most layer of your eye. If the impact is greater, it could even dislodge your lens and even damage your retina. Moreover, to some extent spectacles or eye glasses are protective for the eyes and full hand length should be maintained to burn the crackers.
• The fumes emanating from burning of crackers can also cause irritation. It is very important that one should keep blinking his or her eyes every now and then in order to protect them from getting dry. One can also use tear refreshing drops as well as hot compressions.
• nImmediate first aid for any irritation in eyes, is to wash eyes thoroughly with portable water for 25 minutes and in case of serious infection or injury one should consult an eye specialist within an hour where proper treatment is available.
• One should not take the fire crackers lightly; children should be monitored under the supervision of their parents while playing with crackers, one should wash their hands after handling the crackers and take care of your eyes this Diwali.

Dr KP Reddy, Maxivision Eye Hospital