Hyderabad: At least 191 people, nearly half of them children, suffered burn and eye injuries during Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad, with hospitals reporting a significant number of firecracker-related injuries till Monday evening. Six people including a woman suffered complete vision loss, according to doctors.“The two who lost vision in our hospital were bystanders who were not bursting crackers. One was travelling on his two-wheeler when a firecracker exploded and a fragment struck his eyes while the other sustained similar injuries while closing a door,” said hospital superintendent Dr Modini Pandharpurkar.Doctors said that bullet bombs, mirchi bombs and rockets were among the most common firecrackers that caused injuries this year.Till Monday evening, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital alone treated 74 patients, including 37 children. Of these, 21 sustained grievous injuries, while 53 were classified as having simple injuries. Twelve patients required admission, with 10 scheduled for surgery. The remaining two do not require surgery but will undergo an emergency examination under anaesthesia.Dr Pandharpurkar said the hospital had recorded over 110 similar nature of cases during the corresponding period last year. “We expect the numbers to increase over the next two to three days as more patients from districts are likely to reach Hyderabad for treatment,” she added.At LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), doctors reported 102 firecracker-related injury cases, including 37 children, and one other emergency case. Of the cracker injury patients, four people completely lost vision, 22 were advised surgery, of which six had been performed by Monday. The remaining surgeries were planned.Dr Navya Cherukuri, ophthalmologist, LVPEI said several patients were bystanders who sustained injuries while walking on roads or standing near places where firecrackers were being burst.“On Sunday morning, we had some 10 to 12 such cases but after that we saw 102 emergency cases in just one night – from Sunday night to Monday morning. The emergency department was full on Monday morning, with nearly half the patients being children. Around 25 patients were advised surgery, and procedures are ongoing. There are also four severe cases involving complete vision loss,” she added.Niloufer Hospital superintendent Dr G Vijay Kumar said a three-year-old boy was admitted with a cracker injury to his mouth. The hospital recorded no outpatient cases of firecracker-related injuries.Meanwhile, Osmania General Hospital superintendent Dr Rakesh Sahay said 14 patients with minor burn injuries were treated at the hospital. None required admission. Gandhi Hospital reported no firecracker-related cases while two people came with minor burn injuries at KIMS hospital, Secunderabad and were discharged later.
