AIIMS experts call for urgent action and ban on social media–inspired explosives causing devastating ocular injuries

In the aftermath of the Diwali festivities, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have raised serious concerns over a disturbing new trend — a wave of severe eye injuries caused by homemade “carbide-gun” style firecrackers.

According to the ocular emergency service at AIIMS, the hospital received a cluster of patients, including children and young adults, who sustained catastrophic eye injuries during the festival.

The cases involved thermochemical burns, corneal melts, multiple impacted foreign bodies, conjunctival necrosis, and periocular burns — with several victims requiring emergency amniotic membrane grafting, tectonic keratoplasty, and other complex reconstructive procedures to save their vision.

“These injuries are unlike those caused by conventional firecrackers,” said an AIIMS ophthalmologist involved in the emergency care. “The damage we are seeing from these homemade explosive devices is extensive, often leading to permanent vision loss or disfigurement. What’s more concerning is that many of these devices are being made by adolescents following tutorials shared on social media.”

Investigations by doctors revealed that most cases were linked to crude explosive devices fashioned at home using easily available materials, inspired by ‘carbide-gun’ videos circulating online. These makeshift devices, often built out of curiosity or for fun, have proven to be extremely volatile and hazardous, posing serious risks not only to the users but also to bystanders.

Experts warn that the trend reflects a dangerous combination of social media influence, lack of awareness, and easy access to materials. “We are facing a preventable crisis,” said the doctor. “Such content glamorizing dangerous homemade explosives must be taken down immediately, and authorities should enforce a strict nationwide ban on their manufacture and use.”

The doctors have urged parents and community leaders to educate children about the risks of experimenting with such devices, emphasizing that a moment of thrill can lead to lifelong blindness or facial deformity. They also called for public safety campaigns and social media monitoring to curb the spread of misleading videos that encourage unsafe practices.

As the glow of Diwali fades, the aftermath has left a sobering reminder: celebrations should never come at the cost of sight. The AIIMS team hopes their warning will help prevent similar tragedies in the future — ensuring that next year’s festivities are both bright and safe.