When Colours Harm Vision: Acute Ocular Injury After The Holi Festival In Raipur Central India
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR507 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/y5r2-rr45
Authors: Dr Abishek Mehra* 1 , Dr sweta agrawal 2 , Mrs Ranjana mehra 3
1Community Eye health ,Chhattisgarh eye hospital ,Raipor,India, 2General Ophthalmology,Chhatisgarh eye Hospital,raipur,India, 3Community Eye health ,Chhattisgarh eye hospital ,Raipur,India
Purpose
Holi,the festival of colours celebrated across India,exposes many individuals to coloured powders(Gulal) thast may cause ocular irritation or surface injury.This study aimed to document ocular complaints presenting immediately after Holi in Raipur capital of Chhattisgarh state in Central India.
Setting
Chatisgarh Charitable Eye Hospital, which was built by support of Royal Common Wealth Society Of The Blind(RCSB) now known as SIGHT SAVERS.Charity numbers 207544 and SC038110.We truly appreciate them,For being our Moral and Financial Support in past.
Methods
A single day clinical observational study was conducted on 5 march 2026.Fourty consecutive patients attending the outpatient depatment were evaluated using visual acuity assessment,non contact tonometry, slit lamp examination and all were looked upon undilated fundus and dilated fundus examination when indicated.
A cohort included 25 males(62.5) and 15 females(37.5). Twenty six patients(65%)aged 20-30 years reported itching,irritation and watering of eyes following exposure to gulal during Holi festival celebrations.
Results
Among the 26% Holi related cases,10 patients(38%) showed corneal epithelial defects likely due to eye rubbing or unsupervised topical drops use.Additional findings included 3 patients (7.5%)with Cataract,5 females patients (12.5%) diagnosed with ambyopia and 1 patient(2.5%) with scleritis.
A 41 yeras old male presenting with diminition of vision demonstrated Pre retinal hemorrhage on fundus examination despite no known diabetes or hypertension.Intitial, screening showed RBS(random blood sugar) 150mg/dl and blood pressure 130/84mm hg.
Conclusions
Nearly two thirds of post Holi ophthalmic visits were related to colour induced ocular irritation,with Corneal epithelial injury seen in over one third of affected patients.Routine examination also revealed previously undiagnosed ambyopia,cataract and retinal pathology.
Key message
Fetival celebrating colour should not Compromise vision.Awareness and early eye examination can prevent avoidable ocular morbidity.
THIS PAPER IS A TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS DR DARWIN MINIASSIAN,DR VIJAY MEHRA AND DR BARRY JONES.