Overview
- AIIMS Delhi treated 190 ocular trauma cases during the Diwali period, up from 160 last year, including 18–20 injuries linked to carbide guns recorded for the first time.
- Nearly 44% of patients had open-globe injuries requiring emergency surgery and 17% had both eyes affected, with many victims being children and young males.
- Experts cited DIY guides on social media, cross-border access to uncertified crackers, and weak enforcement despite limited approval of certified green crackers as key drivers.
- Madhya Pradesh imposed a statewide ban on carbide guns and on sharing related videos under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Adhiniyam, while Delhi-NCR has no formal ban.
- AIIMS said late referrals continued after the festival and warned that delayed care has left several patients with irreversible damage and a guarded visual prognosis.