Diwali Safety Measures:

Essential Tips To Protect Your Eyes On This Festival

Wash Eyes With Clean Water:

If a splinter (or something hot and burning) gets into the eyes, immediately wash with plenty of clean water. You can also apply ice or cold compress if possible. It is important to go to the nearest doctor as quickly as possible.

Wear Plain Spectacles:

Wearing plain spectacles (without “power”) goes a long way in safeguarding your eyes. At times, accidents happen when someone in a spirit of excitement and adventure, attempts to burst crackers in dangerous ways. These can causes hundreds of serious injuries during Diwali over the years and should be prohibited.

Prevent Accidents:

Do not cover crackers with glass bottles, tins, boxes, or earthen pots and pans for sound effect or extra impact. They are capable of bursting into tiny pieces and damaging your eyes forever as they fly around in the immediate vicinity.

Don't Take Risk With failed Fireworks:

Do not go near crackers that have failed to explode. Try and quickly extinguish any sparks or shouldering bits that you can see, but from a distance.

For Contact Lenses:

If you are wearing contact lenses, it is advisable not to watch or burst crackers and fireworks yourself as they may cause irritation to the eyes if exposed to high heat for a long time.

For Eye injuries:

In case of an eye injury, remember not to rub your eyes or use home remedies like turmeric powder, coconut oil, etc. in the eye or area around it. If there are any tiny particles inside the eyes, the injury may worsen.

Wash Your Hands Regularly:

Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with hand wash or soap after making a rangoli or handling fireworks, and before you touch your eyes. Coloured, chalk powder, chemicals etc, may cause eye irritation and itchiness and sometimes, irreparable damage.

Stay Away From Fire Crackers:

Even though fireworks look attractive and bright, it is best to stay away from them. Do not let young children light crackers on their own. If they are bursting crackers, there should always be adult supervision and guidance.

Stay Prepared:

Keep your ophthalmologist's and nearest Eye Hospital / Eye Care center's numbers handy.

Inputs By:

Dr. Anchal Mitra, Consultant, Dept. Of Cataract & Corneal Diseases, Disha Eye Hospitals