12-year-old boy injured making firecracker inspired by YouTube video:18 eye injuries reported post Diwali; eight undergo emergency surgeries in Indore hospitals

A 12-year-old boy suffered severe injuries while trying to make a homemade firecracker after watching a YouTube tutorial. The firecracker exploded in his hand, causing burns and a serious injury to his right eye. The blast’s smoke and chemical fumes also damaged his cornea, leaving him partially blinded. He is among 18 people who reported to MY Hospital’s Ophthalmology Department and a private eye hospital in the past 48 hours with eye injuries caused by firecrackers. Of these, eight patients sustained vision-threatening trauma and required emergency surgeries, according to the doctors. Doctors report sharp rise in post-Diwali eye cases According to Dr. Priti Rawat, Head of Ophthalmology at MY Hospital, most patients were injured due to reckless handling of crackers, unsafe home experiments, and banned carbide guns. We received patients with burns, corneal ruptures, and severe irritation caused by chemicals in fireworks. In three cases, the damage to the cornea and retina was extensive. Children are the most affected because of negligence and unsafe imitation of online videos. said Dr. Rawat. Rocket mishap injures nine-year-old In another case, a nine-year-old boy sustained a serious eye injury when a rocket burst near his face. Despite wearing glasses, fragments hit his eyes, causing deep corneal damage. Doctors performed emergency surgery to save his vision. The cornea and iris were both injured, and the child will need long-term follow-up. His vision recovery depends on healing and response to treatment. said Dr. Shweta Walia, part of the surgical team. Carbide gun blast leaves teen partially blind A teenager was also injured while using a carbide gun, an illegal makeshift device that causes mini-explosions. The chemical reaction burned his face and eyes, leaving him with partial vision loss. He remains under close observation. Dr. OP Agrawal, a senior ophthalmologist, said, In just two weeks, we treated at least five children injured by carbide guns. It’s an alarming trend, and social media content showing such experiments is largely to blame. Doctors warn against delay and home remedies The medical team, led by Dr. Priti Rawat along with Dr. Neetu Kori, Dr. Manushree Gautam, and Dr. Niharika Arya, handled all emergency procedures. They warned that delay in treatment or using home remedies can worsen injuries. Eye injuries caused by fireworks are among the most dangerous. Even a few hours’ delay can cause permanent blindness. Dr. Rawat said. Doctors advised against applying ghee, turmeric, or kajal, and recommended rinsing the eye gently with clean water and seeking immediate medical care. Unsafe experiments and DIY crackers on the rise Experts say many of the recent injuries stemmed from online videos encouraging children to make or modify firecrackers. “These so-called homemade fireworks are highly unpredictable and dangerous. A simple error in mixing or handling chemicals can cost someone their eyesight.” said Dr. Agrawal. He added that schools, civic bodies, and parents must take proactive steps to spread awareness and prevent children from experimenting with hazardous materials. How to protect your eyes during festivities A celebration marred by carelessness Doctors at MY Hospital said that while Diwali brings joy and festivity, careless handling of fireworks and risky online trends continue to turn celebrations into emergencies.