Diwali turns sour, as over 70 persons sustain eye related injuries and receive treatment at S D Eye Hospital

During Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad, over 70 people, mostly children, sustained eye injuries from firecrackers. Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital treated most patients on an outpatient basis, while a few were admitted for observation and potential surgical intervention.

Hyderabad: Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad and surrounding districts were marred by incidents of children and adolescents sustaining eye related injuries. The state-run tertiary eye care centre, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Mehdipatnam, between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, received nearly 70 individuals, mostly children and adolescents, with various eye related injuries.

At least two patients have been admitted to the inpatient wards for observation and may require eye surgeries, which are likely to be taken-up in the coming days, according to the hospital’s Resident Medical Office (RMO).

---

According to doctors, a majority of the eye injuries were related to individuals, especially minors, not handling firecrackers safely, while celebrating Diwali.

A total of 20 children and adolescents have received treatment at S D Eye Hospital. Hospital staff indicated that by the end of the outpatient day, the total number of patients with firecracker injuries might hover between 80 and 90 patients.

“Those needing surgeries on any other intervention, they will be admitted to the inpatient wards and kept under observation. A majority of the patients undergo treatment at outpatient and are sent back home immediately,” doctors said.

Like every year, this year too, just before Diwali, the S D Eye Hospital makes elaborate preparations to handle the anticipated influx of patients sustained while lighting firecrackers, doctors said.