New Delhi, Mar 24: Ahead of Holi celebrations in the national capital, AIIMS Dr RP Centre chief Dr JS Titiyal stressed the importance of taking precautions during the festival and elucidated the procedure for treating patients with eye injuries.

"Use eyewear like goggles or spectacles that reduce the chances of colour entering the eyes. Don't wear contact lenses, if you have worn contact lenses and somehow colour enters your eyes, remove your contacts and then rinse your face," said the AIIMS doctor.

Speaking to ANI on the eve of Holi, the AIIMS doctor said, "Amidst Holi celebrations in the entire country and Delhi, AIIMS hospital witnesses several patients every year who sustain eye injuries due to colours and chemicals and come to the emergency ward of the hospital."

"In view of this particular festival, we have to take extra precautions. The hospital administration increases the number of staff members and additionally deploys an eye doctor in the emergency room of the Trauma Centre as well," he added.

Adding further the doctor said that Holi sees the maximum number of cases with eye injuries wherein colours enter the eyes and cause irritation or redness in the eyes of the patients.

"The most common cases are that of colours entering the eyes of the patients and causing irritation, redness and issues with visibility. There are also cases wherein someone gets injured by water balloons. This is really harmful since in cases like these damage the visibility of the eyes," he said.

Stressing the importance of taking precautions while playing with colours, the AIIMS doctor said, "Use eyewear like goggles or spectacles that reduce the chances of colour entering the eyes. Don't wear contact lenses, if you have worn contact lenses and somehow colour enters your eyes, remove your contacts and then rinse your face."

"Don't rinse your face with your eyes open. If the colour has entered your eyes, then apply eyedrops or teardrops in your eyes for first aid and if necessary visit a doctor. We want everyone to play a safe Holi and have fun but it is necessary to take precautions," he stated.

When asked about the procedure that doctors follow in case of an eye injury, the doctor said, "The Emergency ward remains open for the public for 24 hours. First, the vision testing is done, and the eyes are examined for any particles, after which the eyes are cleaned."

"If dry colours are used, then it's easy to clean, if chemical colours like paint are used, then it becomes difficult to clean them and may take more than half an hour. After cleaning the eyes, we check the PH value of the tears," said the doctor.

"We check if the PH value of the tear has become normal or not, because the tear becomes acidic or alkaline when chemicals enter the eyes which is harmful," he added.

Adding further the doctor said, "Ultimately we check if the eye has been cleaned and that no particles are left in the eyes and then after they are relieved of the pain, we discharge them. In cases of the eyes getting wounded or damaged then we admit the patient for a proper treatment."

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Meanwhile, people thronged markets in the national capital on Sunday, ahead of Holi, making last-minute purchases of colours or gulals, trendy water guns, and colourful wigs.

Holi, a festival celebrated with as much fervour in the country as it is overseas, will be marked on March 25, Monday, this year.
The festival is preceded by a ritual of lighting bonfires called Holika Dahan, signifying the burning of the demon Holika.

Some of the country's oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites, such as Vrindavan, Mathura, and Barsana, draw revellers on this day, smearing themselves with the colours of Holi. (ANI)

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