Tue Oct 21 16:08:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

Bengaluru’s Deepavali Marked by Eye Injuries as Careless Cracker Use Spikes

Bengaluru, October 21, 2025 – The festive celebrations of Deepavali were overshadowed by a surge in eye injuries across Bengaluru, with over 75 people, including numerous children, requiring medical treatment for firecracker-related incidents. Various eye hospitals across the city have been flooded with over 100 patients in the last two days. Six people are expected to lose vision due to the carelessness involved with handling firecrackers.

Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, Narayana Nethralaya, Sankara Eye Hospital, and Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital all reported a significant influx of patients with injuries ranging from minor irritation to severe trauma. Doctors at Minto Hospital have reported 6 patients at risk of partial vision loss. Narayana Nethralaya managed 51 patients including 20 adults and 31 children. A 67-year-old foreign national was injured while walking along the road. Sankara Eye Hospital treated 16 firecracker-related injuries.

Doctors emphasize that children were disproportionately affected, accounting for over 60% of injuries at Narayana Nethralaya. Many injuries resulted from individuals bursting crackers themselves, while others were bystanders caught in the path of stray sparks and explosions. Common culprits included “bijli,” “atom bomb,” and “flower pot” firecrackers.

Hospital directors are urging the public to prioritize safety, wear protective eyewear, and exercise extreme caution during Deepavali celebrations. Dr. Naren Shetty of Narayana Nethralaya stressed the importance of thorough eye washing and seeking immediate medical attention for any firecracker-related injuries.

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