Overview
- AIIMS-Delhi recorded 190 ocular trauma cases during the Diwali period, up from 160 last year, with 18–20 injuries linked to homemade carbide guns.
- Clinicians reported high severity, including roughly 44–45% open-globe injuries, 17% bilateral involvement, and dozens of surgeries for children.
- Forty-four percent of patients were from Delhi-NCR while 56% came from neighboring states, reflecting cross-border access to hazardous crackers.
- Doctors say patients continue to arrive late with chemical and thermal burns, and many have a guarded visual prognosis despite surgery.
- Experts cite social media tutorials and easy interstate availability, note large clusters in Madhya Pradesh, and call for a prohibition on carbide devices, tighter enforcement, online monitoring, and targeted public education.