Kota: Medical and health experts have expressed concern over the rise in eye injuries caused by chemical firecrackers, particularly by carbide guns during Diwali, and urged the state govt to ban its manufacture, sale and purchase.Arnav Saroya, a cornea and LASIK surgeon in Kota, and Dr Latif Ull Hasan at Bundi district govt hospital said that the increasing prevalence of chemical firecrackers, particularly carbide guns during the festival, and eye injuries and skin allergies caused by them are set to assume an alarming threat to health and vision.Saroya said, "This year saw a significant increase in eye injuries caused by firecrackers, with carbide guns identified as particularly dangerous. More than 30 patients in Kota sought treatment from him for various levels of injuries caused by chemical firecrackers during the pre-Diwali and post-Diwali period, with over five cases directly linked to carbide guns."Latif said, "The festive period witnessed a rise in eye injuries and skin allergies caused by chemical firecrackers. Three to four cases of eye injuries are caused by carbide guns. Eye injury caused by carbide guns is very severe as multiple foreign bodies get embedded in the cornea, requiring expert medical treatment." He urged the state govt to ban carbide guns.According to experts, these country-made devices, which produce a loud explosion by generating acetylene gas from the reaction of calcium carbide and water, are gaining popularity among children and youth.Saroya said the chemical particles, gunpowder and high-velocity impact from these explosions can cause permanent damage to the eyes, including corneal rupture and irreversible vision loss.