Fireworks during Diwali might be dangerous for your eyes. To prevent risk, Dr. Rishi Raj Borah recommends eco-friendly firecrackers, protective glasses, and constant supervision of children. Stay cool, avoid rubbing the eye, gently cleanse it, cover it, and seek medical assistance after an injury. Avoid self-medication, disregarding the injuries, and removing implanted objects…
Diwali brings delight to the nation. Fireworks make this party unique. We must be careful and safeguard our eyes when lighting off fireworks. Eye injuries are common and unexpected.
Thus, Orbisit India Country Director Dr. Rishi Raj Borah advises on how to handle cracker accidents.
Prevention is Better Than Cure: Eco-friendly firecrackers, protective eyewear, a safe distance, and constant child supervision can greatly reduce eye accident risk.
How to Handle an Accident? Even with precautions, accidents can happen. If you or someone else has an eye injury lighting off firecrackers, do this immediately:
Stay Calm: Eye accidents require calmness. Take a deep breath and be calm to avoid panicking.
Do Not Rub Your Eye: Touching or rubbing the injured eye will worsen the issue.
If foreign particles or dirt are visible in the eye, gently rinse it with clean water. Use sterile saline if available. Tap water may contain pollutants that irritate the eye.
Cover the Injured Eye: Use sterile gauze or a soft cotton cloth to cover the eye. This prevents contamination and reduces eye movement.
Seek Medical Attention Now: Seek medical help immediately. Untreated minor injuries might impair vision. For a complete check and treatment, see an eye expert or attend the local hospital emergency room.
What Not to Do?
Knowing what not to do in an eye injury is just as crucial. Avoid these typical errors:
Avoid Ignoring Eye Injuries: Never ignore eye injuries. Preventing problems and preserving vision requires immediate medical intervention.
Never self-medicate: Don't use OTC eye drops or ointments without professional advice. They may exacerbate the problem.
Don't Remove Embedded Objects: Don't remove objects from the eye. More damage may result. Please stabilize the eye and seek medical treatment immediately.
Conclusion
Eye injuries are common during Diwali. You can safeguard your eyes and vision by following the safety tips above and obtaining medical assistance after an injury.
Additional eye injury prevention tips:
Use green firecrackers. These crackers prevent smoke and sparks, reducing eye damage.
Protect your eyes. Protect your eyes from flying debris and sparks using goggles or sunglasses.
Safely distance yourself. When lighting fireworks, stand 10 feet away.
Kids need close supervision. Never let kids light fireworks alone.
Stay calm and don’t massage your eye if you get an eye injury. Clean your eye gently and seek medical assistance promptly.