Dr.Rebika

DR.KARTHIKEYAN MAHALINGAM, Dr. ATUL KUMAR, Dr. ROHIT SAXENA

Abstract

We report the 6 year profile of ocular firecracker injuries during Diwali in our centre and analyze the impact of the existing legislation. 667 eyes sustained firecracker injury in 6years. Majority were adolescents males (median 14yrs). 44% of cases were from delhi and rest from neighbouring states like UP(30.5%) and Haryana(16.8%). 65% cases were bursting firecraker at the time of injury; 35% were bystanders. Only 26.8% presented to the hospital within 24 hr of injury. Bilateral involvemnt was seen in 3.2% cases. Presenting visual acuity was worse than 1/60 in 69.6% and 73.5% of the eyes suffered from penetrating or perforating injury. The number firecracker injury reduced significantly psot regulation [pre-regulation (2014-2016)(n=456); post-regulation (2017-2019)(211); (p=0.01)]. More than 50% reduction in number of firecracker injury was noted after the implementation of regulation. Stricter laws can be used to completely eliminate the problem.

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