EYE PROTECTION

Diwali Eye Care

Diwali is the festival of lights, which brings people together and fills the colors in people’s happiness.

It’s a time when we light up our homes with lamps, burst colorful fireworks, and exchange gifts.

It’s a festival of light and joy but did you know that nearly half of all firework-related injuries every year are to do with eye damage?

During all the festivities, it’s essential to prioritize eye safety.

Every year thousands of eyes fall victim to reckless handling or defective firecrackers. It is vital to learn how you can protect your eyes and vision and avoid any Diwali accidents.

It is essential to be aware of and practice safety steps and tips you can take to protect your eyes and avoid a visit to the emergency clinic.

We hope it will help you to maintain safety during Diwali.

Safety Tips for Your Eyes During Diwali

1. Wear Glasses to Protect Your Eyes From Fireworks

As Diwali is celebrated on the new-moon (Amavasya) night, lights and fireworks have a significant role to play in this festival. This is why, when we hear the name Diwali, the first impression that flashes through our minds is of multicolored and impressive fireworks, sprinkling various sorts of bright colored lights in the night sky.

The tradition of fireworks on Diwali is very old, they have become such a vital part of this festival that we can’t even imagine a wonderful Diwali without them.

According to statistics ,almost 60% of injuries happen because of Diwali Fireworks to the children and bystanders

When lighting fireworks, always wear safety glasses or goggles. These protective eyewear options will shield your eyes from sparks, debris, and chemicals used in the fireworks. Don’t forget to keep a safe distance when lighting fireworks and never look directly into them.

Protective glasses are highly effective because they deflect the flying debris as well as provide a layer of protection against any excess heat.

1. Wear Glasses to Protect Your Eyes From Fireworks

The tradition of fireworks on Diwali is very old, they have become such a vital part of this festival that we can’t even imagine a wonderful Diwali without them.

According to statistics ,almost 60% of injuries happen because of Diwali Fireworks to the children and bystanders

Protective glasses are highly effective because they deflect the flying debris as well as provide a layer of protection against any excess heat.

2. Buy fireworks from authorised reputed manufacturers

NEVER MAKE YOUR OWN FIRE WORKS

3. Careful with Sparklers:

Sparklers may seem harmless, but they can reach high temperatures and cause serious eye injuries. The sparks emitted from sparklers can easily hit your eyes if not handled correctly. While using use sparklers, keep them away from your face, and if you can use glasses or goggles, it will be an extra advantage for you.

3. Careful with Sparklers:

4. Avoid Wearing Loose And Hanging Clothes:

Do not wear loose and hanging type of clothes which can easily attract fire and harm you . Women should be more aware while going somewhere or worshiping because without our knowledge, suddenly, any cracker or fireworks can catch your clothes.

5. Avoid Contact lenses:

Diwali not only brings lighting but smoke too, and that’s why it is important to avoid wearing contact lenses at the time of the Diwali celebration because crackers and sparkling smoke can irritate your eyes if you wear contact lenses.

5. Avoid Contact lenses:

6. Be Cautious with Traditional Oil Lamps (Diyas):

Hot oil or wax from diyascan splatter and cause burns. To avoid accidents, ensure that diyas are placed safelyaway from the reach of children and pets. When lighting them, use long matches or lighters to avoid getting too close to the flame. If you have young children at home, consider using electric diyas or candles for added safety.

7. Rest Your Eyes:

Exposure to smoke from crackers, and bright lights can lead to eye strain and discomfort. Take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Blink often to keep your eyes moist, and consider using artificial tears if your eyes feel dry.

7. Rest Your Eyes:

8. Keep First Aid Handy:

Make sure you have your first aid box ready for any situation .even after Carefully taking many precautions , accidents can still happen. That’s why immediate response can prevent deeper wounds.

If anything happens, then gently clean your eyes with cold water for 10-15 minutes, and do not rub your eyes because it can make your situation more critical.

9. Keep Safe Distance

Simple and effective. Keep your arm outstretched and face away while trying to ignite a cracker. Then move far away from the burst zone to avoid any flying debris or a loose spark.

9. Keep Safe Distance

Simple and effective. Keep your arm outstretched and face away while trying to ignite a cracker. Then move far away from the burst zone to avoid any flying debris or a loose spark.

10. Care for Irritation

In case of any irritation caused by the smoke or a tiny particle in your eye, the first thing to remember is to not touch it or rub your eyes with your hands. If there are any particles on your eyeball, rubbing them with your fingers will most likely scratch the surface and cause further damage.

In case of bleeding, use water, an eye patch, or a sanitary cloth, but if you’re unsure what to do, best leave it alone for a specialist to treat the wounds

In case of prolonged irritation or pain and discomfort, consult the eye specialist at the earliest

Here are the DOs:

Always have an adult supervise children playing with firecrackers.

Only burst crackers in an open environment.

Only use firecrackers bought from licensed dealers and approved brands.

Always keep a fire extinguisher handy, or at least a bucket of water and sand to douse any loose flames.

Use long incense sticks to ignite the fireworks

And DON’Ts:

Do not try to treat any injury on your own; rush to find a doctor immediately.

Do not let young children and especially toddlers anywhere near firecrackers.

Do not try to reignite a firework that didn’t go off; wait at least a few minutes before going anywhere near it.

Do not ignite them while holding in your hands or pointing them towards someone.

If you or someone you know needs medical attention this Diwali season, the 24-hour emergency trauma center at Dr Anilkumar’s Eye Hospital with our highly skilled specialists are at your care

The Effects of Firecrackers on Eye Health:

Beyond the general safety tips for your eyes during Diwali, it’s important to know how Firecrackers can cause various eye injuries and exacerbate existing eye conditions.

Damage to the Retina: Fireworks, such as sparklers and skyrockets, can send out strong light that can hurt the retina and cause temporary or lasting vision loss.

Burns and Scalds: Hot oil or wax from traditional oil lamps (Diyas) can splatter and cause burns or scalds to the eye's surface.

Eye Fatigue and Strain: The smoke and bright lights that are around during Diwali events can make your eyes tired, strained, and uncomfortable.

Corneal Abrasions: Firecrackers can propel small, high-velocity particles that can scratch the cornea, leading to painful corneal abrasions.

Diwali is a time of happiness and unity, and it’s essential to ensure that by following these safety tips, to protect your lovely eyes and enjoy a vibrant and safe Diwali

Eye and Your Health

Eyes are known as the ‘windows to your soul’, but they are the window to your health as well.

A recent studies have found that early signs of chronic disease can be identified through comprehensive eye exams by eye care practitioners.

Diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, heart and vascular diseases, and even some forms of cancer could be detected during an eye exam.

If you haven’t visited your eye doctor recently now is the time.

Eye exams can reveal more than just eye health

During an eye exam, eye doctors may detect general health conditions early. Detecting any condition early on allows for improved and faster outcomes.

Here’s a list of how eyes can be a window to your health;

1. Diabetes

Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels of the body and in the retina, the eye exam can reveal signs of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

During an eye exam, the eye doctor can detect leaked blood or plasma from damaged vessels in the eye. The eye doctor will then either monitor this condition or may refer the patient to doctors such as an endocrinologist or vascular surgeon.

Today eye dosctors use advanced technologies such as digital retinal exams and OCT scanners. The earlier diabetic eye disease is diagnosed and managed, the better the chances are of preserving eyesight.

1. Diabetes

Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels of the body and in the retina, the eye exam can reveal signs of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

2. Brain cancer & stroke

Certain brain cancers and strokes can affect the appearance of the blood vessels in the eye.

During an eye exam, an eye doctor can occasionally detect an issue taking place in the brain by examining the blood vessels in the eyes.

If shadows or swelling in the eye is detected, it may indicate a serious condition in the brain, like a tumor, or clots that might result in a stroke.

3. Hypertension

The shape and appearance of the blood vessels in the back of the eye can be a sign of high blood pressure.

Hypertension can be detected during an eye exam, sometimes even before it’s diagnosed by your regular doctor. The damaged blood vessels lead to hemorrhages, leaking, and swelling — all of which can be observed in the eyes.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), hypertension the “silent killer” affects nearly 1 in 3 adults, however up to 20% of those people don’t even know they have it!

Early detection of the signs of hypertension at an eye doctor’s evaluation can truly be life-saving.

3. Hypertension

The shape and appearance of the blood vessels in the back of the eye can be a sign of high blood pressure.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), hypertension the “silent killer” affects nearly 1 in 3 adults, however up to 20% of those people don’t even know they have it!

Early detection of the signs of hypertension at an eye doctor’s evaluation can truly be life-saving.

4. High cholesterol

High cholesterol is among the easiest conditions to spot during a complete eye exam.

Eye exams can detect a buildup of cholesterol, as cholesterol deposits can manifest on the front of the eye, appearing as a gray, thin ring on the iris, called arcus senilis.

This ring tends to appear with age, and it is also more common in people with high blood cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol can also be detected in the retina by assessing vein and artery patterns. These deposits may indicate the current or future development of Retinal Blood Vein Occlusion (BRVO), a condition where blockages restrict blood flow to the back of the eye, causing temporary or permanent vision loss.

Deposits that clog the arteries in the eye can be a sign of some heart conditions associated with a buildup of plaque in the carotid artery in the heart.

5. Inflammation

Systemic conditions that are associated with inflammation in the body can have an inflammatory effect on the eyes.

Uveitis, for example, causes eye inflammation, redness, and blurred vision, and tends to occur in people with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases.

5. Inflammation

Systemic conditions that are associated with inflammation in the body can have an inflammatory effect on the eyes.

Uveitis, for example, causes eye inflammation, redness, and blurred vision, and tends to occur in people with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases.

6. Thyroid

Thyroid disease can make itself apparent through the eyes in several ways. The thyroid gland controls the hormones that regulate tear production which can cause dry eye syndrome.

Additionally, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can enlarge and stiffen the extraocular muscles, causing bulging eyes— an indicator of Graves’ disease.

7. Cancer

Various cancers can be found during a detailed eye exam, in particular, the skin surrounding the eyes are prone to sun damage.

Skin cancers can affect the eyelids and outer surfaces of the eye. The most common types of skin cancers are basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma.

Leukemia, lymphoma, and other forms of cancer can also affect the interior parts of the eye. Tumors in the breast and other areas can spread to the ocular structures.

7. Cancer

Various cancers can be found during a detailed eye exam, in particular, the skin surrounding the eyes are prone to sun damage.

Skin cancers can affect the eyelids and outer surfaces of the eye. The most common types of skin cancers are basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma.

Leukemia, lymphoma, and other forms of cancer can also affect the interior parts of the eye. Tumors in the breast and other areas can spread to the ocular structures.

8. Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Sudden vision loss may be attributed to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

While an optometrist can recognize signs indicating the presence of MS, such as the color and appearance of the optic nerve, these cases will be referred for further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

An eye exam could change your life

If you haven’t been to your eye doctor recently, it is recommended to schedule an eye exam, this may just detect an underlying condition that you were unaware of.

Since so many different health conditions can be detected during an eye exam, it is important to visit your eye doctor regularly.

Eye Protection at Home

Ninety percent of eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate eye protection.

Many people perform their daily chores without even thinking about the risk of an eye injury. Well, considering 50 percent of all eye injuries occur at home, you may want to think about increasing your eye protection around the house.

The most ordinary activities, such as cooking, cleaning, home improvement projects and yard work can cause an eye injury that may result in temporary or even permanent vision loss.

However, 78 percent of people report not wearing any type of protective eyewear while performing these tasks.

Eye Protection at Home

Ninety percent of eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate eye protection.

The most ordinary activities, such as cooking, cleaning, home improvement projects and yard work can cause an eye injury that may result in temporary or even permanent vision loss.

However, 78 percent of people report not wearing any type of protective eyewear while performing these tasks.

According to studies, up to 40 percent of eye injuries occur while working in the yard or performing home improvement projects and doing gardening

Protective eyewear is one of the first things you should grab off your shelf or workbench before beginning any type of project — even if you just plan on mowing your lawn.

Blades of grass, sawdust, and other types of debris can fly through the air at a speed that can cause real damage if it hits your eye, and can even result in vision loss.

It is also important to remember to protect your eyes when handling any type of chemical or cleaning product.

While many household chores may appear innocuous, an estimated 125,000 eye injuries occur each year from toxic chemicals and cleaning products.

Many different types of eye injuries can be prevented by simply remembering to wear protective eyewear and following certain safety guidelines.

The 6 do’s and don’ts of household chores

DO's

DO wear safety glasses or goggles when operating any type of power tool.

DO remove sticks, pine cones, glass, or pieces of plastic that can fly in the air before mowing your lawn or trimming your hedges.

DO read instructions and warning labels on all cleaning and chemical products before use.

DO wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling chemical products.

DO wash your hands thoroughly after using any type of cleaning or chemical product.

DO keep a pair of safety goggles in your kitchen to protect your eyes while chopping onions, garlic, hot peppers etc.— if these vegetables can make your eyes tear without any contact, imagine what can happen if you accidentally rub your eyes while handling them?

DON’Ts

DON’T operate any type of power tool when children or unprotected bystanders are in close proximity.

DON’T perform any type of home improvement project or yard work without proper eye protection.

DON’T keep chemicals or cleaning products within a child’s reach.

DON’T touch your eyes or face while handling chemicals or cleaning products.

DON’T rub your eyes if your hands are dirty.

Potential Indian household toxic agents to eyes

Madar juice

Custard apple seeds to wash hair

DON’T handle Agarbathis when children are around

Eye-mazing Facts About Eyes

Did you know that your eyes are the 2nd most complex organ in our bodies?

Did you know that only one-sixth of your eye is visible to the rest of the world? Or how about the fact that your eyes are made up of almost 2 million intricately interwoven functional parts?

22 amazing eye facts

Here are 20 more amazing facts about eyes:

The brain is the only organ in our bodies more complex than the eye.

Over 1 in 8 males are color-blind.

Over 80% of the brain’s processing is from our vision.

Children with vision problems are often misdiagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning difficulties

There are NO pain nerves inside the eye, you could have serious eye conditions, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, and not know it until you have permanent eye damage.

Eyes heal quickly, it takes only about 48 hours for a minor corneal scratch to heal

Every second, your eyes change focus over 50 times.

There are over 1 million nerves connecting each eye to the brain.

Even though the retina detects only 3 colors, red, blue and green, we can distinguish over 10 million different colors.

The front of the eye, the cornea, is the only part of the body that receives its oxygen directly from the air, not the lungs

Only 1/6 of your eyeball is visible.

In a pitch black night, eyes can detect a candle flame 14 miles away.

The iris (colored part of the eye) has 256 distinct features, whereas fingerprints only have 40.

When concentrating, most people only partially blink, causing dry spots and redness on the eyes

In a typical lifetime, you will see over 24 million images of the world around you.

The retina is made up of 2 types of nerves, known as ‘rods and cones’. Rods are responsible for night vision and seeing shapes, whereas cones provide sharp vision and decipher colors.

The average person blinks 12 times a minute.

The cornea of a shark is nearly identical to that of a human, and it has even been used in human eye surgery!

Contracting in less than 1/100th of a second, the eye is the fastest contracting muscle in the body.

The ‘red eye’ seen in flash photography, is due to the retina being densely packed with blood vessels.

The cornea is the only tissue in the body that does not have blood vessels.

The human eye weighs approximately just under an ounce.