With a twinkle: in Abakan, more than 30 people were hospitalized after a movie screening

On Wednesday, November 5, it became known that in Abakan, after watching a movie in a cinema, 32 people, including 20 children, were hospitalized due to eye burns. They received the necessary medical care and were sent for outpatient treatment. According to doctors, there will be no serious health consequences for the victims. The details of the incident are in the Izvestia article.

Eye burn at the cinema in Abakan: what is known

On November 5, it became known that, starting from Monday, November 3, in Abakan (Republic of Khakassia), 32 people went to the hospital with complaints after watching the film. All the audience attended the same screening at the cinema on Taras Shevchenko Street. As a result, they received an eye burn. Initially, 15 victims were reported, including eight minors, but later this figure increased. It is important to note that there were 70 people in the hall.

Valeria Agafonova, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Khakassia, told Izvestia about the incident earlier: "During the day (from Monday evening, November 3, to Tuesday evening, November 4. 32 people, including 20 children and 12 adults, complained of eye damage to the emergency room of the Republican Clinical Ophthalmological Hospital."

According to the ministry, all the victims received the necessary medical care, after which the patients were sent for outpatient treatment. Their condition is assessed as satisfactory, and there will be no serious health consequences.

Criminal case in Abakan on the fact of eye burns

It is also known that the investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia has already opened a criminal case into the provision of services that do not meet the requirements for the safety of life and health of consumers (Part 1 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code).

According to investigators, the cause of the incident was a germicidal lamp, which they forgot to turn off.

"Currently, the victims have been recognized as victims in a criminal case, and they will be questioned about the circumstances of the incident in the near future. As part of the investigation, examinations will be conducted to determine the severity of the injury. Other necessary investigative and procedural actions are being carried out aimed at establishing the detailed circumstances of the incident," the Investigative Committee of Russia said in a statement.

Photophthalmia: what is it

According to the source of Izvestia, the victims were diagnosed with photophthalmia after watching the film in a cinema in Abakan. It is also called electrophthalmia or snow blindness.

Photophthalmia is a burn injury to the eyes associated with damage to the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye by ultraviolet, infrared, or other powerful visible radiation. The risk of photophthalmia is higher when observing surfaces with high reflectivity (snow, ice, water) with an unprotected eye, as well as lightning or solar flares or eclipses without special protective equipment.

The burn does not appear immediately, but after a few hours and is marked by signs of keratoconjunctivitis.:

— tearing;

— feeling of sand in the eyes;

— redness;

— visual impairment;

— pain in the eyes;

— temporary loss of vision.

For the treatment of photophthalmia, drugs are used that stop the phenomena of keratoconjunctivitis and prevent secondary infection of damaged tissues. Medications prescribed by a doctor may include ointments, drops, and antihistamines.

If you get an eye burn, it is recommended to ensure complete visual rest by applying light—tight dark bandages to your eyes and staying in a darkened room. Sunglasses may also be suitable. As a first aid, you can also use moisturizing drops or rinse your eyes with running water.

It is important not to self-medicate, but to immediately consult an ophthalmologist who will select the necessary treatment.