Mon Nov 04 16:02:40 UTC 2024: ## 104 Eye Injuries Reported in Madurai on Deepavali Despite Safety Warnings
**Madurai, November 4, 2024:** Despite widespread awareness campaigns on the safe handling of fireworks, Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai saw a concerning 104 patients admitted with eye injuries on Deepavali alone.
The hospital’s press release revealed that ten patients sustained corneal tears, while four children suffered severe eye damage, requiring enucleation (eye removal).
Chief Medical Officer Dr. R. Kim expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the importance of parental responsibility in educating children about safe firework usage. “Enucleation is a last resort for severely damaged eyes,” he stated. “While corneal damage can be treated with transplants, a damaged eyeball cannot be grafted.”
Dr. Kim emphasized that most victims were children, underscoring the need for stricter parental supervision during festivities. “Reckless enjoyment with fireworks comes at a huge cost,” he warned.
Despite prior efforts by the hospital to spread awareness across the district, the number of eye injury cases remained high. This underscores the need for continuous public education and the importance of responsible celebration practices.
First Piper 