Diwali is the most popular of all Indian festivals and is celebrated around the world. Also known as the festival of lights, India decks up in its best finery and the firecrackers light up the sky. But this is also a time when one has to be careful about keeping one’s eyes safe. Here are a few handy tips for you.

How to play safe Diwali and not get hurt

• If a splinter or something that’s hot and burning gets into the eyes immediately wash with lots of clean water like tap water, drinking water or any clean water. You can also apply some ice or cold compress if possible. The best thing is to go to the nearest doctor as early as possible. Many eye hospitals keep special night and emergency facilities available on Diwali.
• Wearing plain spectacles goes a long way in protecting your eyes. Many accidents happen while a person tries to be adventurous by bursting crackers in dangerous ways. Also insects may fall into eyes causing irritation. Spectacles help is protecting the eyes in this case.

• Injuries from bombs that are lit under some earthen pots are quite common. Another common cause of injury is when a cracker fails to light up the first time and then someone tries to blow on it or light it for the second time and it bursts on the face of the person. Eye injuries are very common in these cases.

• If you are a contact lens wearer, it is advisable not to wear them while watching or bursting crackers.Contact lenses may cause irritation to the eyes if exposed to high heat for a long time.

• In the event of an eye injury, do not rub your eyes or use local remedies like turmeric powder, coconut oil, etc. If there are any particles inside your eyes, it may worsen the injury. Instead, wash your eyes with clean water for about 10 minutes and after that consult an Eye Specialist at the earliest.

• Make sure you wash your hands properly after making a rangoli or handling fireworks, and before you touch your eyes. The coloured powder, chalk powder and chemicals from the crackers may cause eye irritation and itchiness and in certain cases, irreparable damage.

• Even though fireworks may be pretty and bright, it is best to stay away from them. Do not let children light crackers. If they are bursting crackers, there should always be adult supervision.

• Keep your opthalmologist’s and nearest Hospital / Eye Care centre’s number near you.

These precautions can go a long way to ensure a safe and happy Diwali for you, your family, friends and loved ones.

About the author- Dr Soham Basak, Consultant, Cornea Department, Disha Eye Hospitals