Diwali Eye Safety

Print this page

Every Diwali, eye hospitals across India treat burns, blast injuries and foreign bodies from firecrackers, and many of the injured are children and people who were only watching. Most of these injuries are preventable, and quick, correct first aid makes a real difference. ગુજરાતીમાં વાંચો (Read in Gujarati).

How firecrackers injure the eye

• Burns to the eyelids, the surface of the eye and the cornea, from sparklers, flower pots (anar) and chakris.
• Blast and blunt injury from bombs and rockets that burst close to the face, causing bleeding inside the eye (hyphaema), a torn retina or a ruptured eyeball.
• Foreign bodies: hot particles, paper or stone fragments lodged on or inside the eye.
• Chemical injury from the cracker powder itself.
• Irritation and dryness from smoke and air pollution in the days after Diwali.

Safety tips for the family

• Buy licensed crackers and read the instructions; prefer green crackers and community displays.
• Light crackers at arm's length with a long agarbatti or phooljhadi stick, never bending over them.
• Never relight a cracker that did not go off. Pour water on it and leave it.
• Children should light crackers only with an adult beside them; give sparklers only to older children, and drop used sparklers into a bucket of water (a sparkler wire stays hot enough to burn).
• Spectators are injured too: keep a safe distance and never throw crackers at people.
• Wear cotton clothes, and plain glasses or safety goggles while lighting. Remove contact lenses before playing with crackers; wear spectacles instead.
• Keep a bucket of water and sand nearby.

Smoke, pollution and dry eyes

Smoke can leave the eyes red, gritty and watery for a few days. Splash the eyes with clean water, use preservative-free lubricating drops, and avoid rubbing. If the redness comes with pain, blurred vision or discharge, get the eyes checked.

First aid for an eye injury

See an eye doctor the same day if

• Vision is blurred or reduced and does not clear with blinking.
• Pain, redness or watering continues after rinsing, or the eye cannot be opened.
• There is a cut on the eye or eyelid, blood in the eye, or something stuck in it.
• A chemical, cracker powder or lime (chuna) went into the eye.
• Light hurts the eye, or you see flashes, floaters or a shadow.

Frequently asked questions

Related: Eye injury and emergency treatment, Fireworks Eye Safety, Holi Eye Care.