Chennai Eye Hospitals Treat Dozens for Firecracker Injuries After Deepavali

What Happened

City hospitals in Chennai treated dozens of people for firecracker-related eye injuries following Deepavali celebrations on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Despite a wet day, residents celebrated widely, leading to multiple emergency visits across major eye care facilities.

Hospital Numbers

The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital handled around 50 cases, with about 10 patients admitted for care. Sankara Nethralaya recorded 45 firecracker injury cases at its main campus over the weekend, requiring surgeries for two patients and scheduling two more for Monday, November 9. Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital treated nearly 20 patients, including four children and several adults in their 30s and 40s, with one serious case taken up for surgery and another hurt when a dud firecracker burst as he approached it. Rajan Eye Care attended to about 15 patients over the past three days, performing one surgery while treating the rest as outpatients.

Doctor Warnings

Doctors have urged the public to stay careful and follow safety steps. T.S. Surendran serves as chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, while S. Soundari is the regional head of clinical services at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, and Mohan Rajan is the chairman and medical director at Rajan Eye Care. Medical experts advise wearing protective eye gear, supervising children closely, keeping a safe distance for bystanders, and avoiding touching injured eyes before seeing a doctor immediately.

Context

Deepavali celebrations across major Indian cities frequently result in a seasonal spike in burn and eye injuries due to firecracker use. Medical authorities regularly issue safety warnings during festive periods to reduce preventable trauma from accidental blasts.