Bengaluru: As many as 161 firecracker-related eye injuries have been recorded across major eye hospitals in the city between Nov 7 and 11 during this Deepavali season, and at least 64 of them involved children.Minto Ophthalmic Hospital recorded 52 cases over the past few days, with bystander injuries (29) accounting for a significant proportion. Of these, 19 were classified as simple injuries and 33 as grievous, with at least three patients requiring surgery. A 30-year-old man from Ashok Nagar suffered a scleral tear (a full or partial-thickness break in the sclera, the white outer wall of the eyeball) and underwent surgical repair. Children accounted for 25 cases, including a four-year-old from Uttar Pradesh. The child underwent surgery. Most injuries (18) at the hospital were caused by small crackers.Meanwhile, Narayana Nethralaya recorded 64 cases, of which 33 involved children. Doctors performed surgeries to repair two corneal tears. At least 23 bystanders were injured.“The injuries varied in severity, ranging from eyelid burns, lacerations and corneal abrasions to more serious injuries involving bleeding within the eye, corneal tears and retinal damage. Cases were also associated with different types of fireworks, including bombs, rockets, flowerpots, sparklers and direct exposure to firecracker particles,” said Dr Yathish S, HOD and consultant, cornea services, Narayana Nethralaya.Sankara Eye Hospital recorded 33 cases over the past four days, while Nethradhama Superspeciality Eye Hospital reported 12 cases, including six children. Among them was a nine-year-old boy who sustained an injury as a bystander, suffering from hyphema (bleeding inside the eye) and elevated intraocular pressure. Doctors initiated treatment to control the bleeding and manage the inflammation.