Our eyes are constantly exposed to heat, dust, dry air, and smoke, which can lead to various eye diseases in summer. Hence, eye protection from air pollution in summer is vital to keep eyes healthy.
Air pollutants do not only contain dust; they also have particulate matter known as PPM, chemicals (sulfates and nitrates) from car emissions and factories, pollens, danders, etc. Such pollutants affect the respiratory system and exacerbate asthma, rhinitis, and allergic diseases. In eyes, they can cause the following problems:
Irritation and dryness in eyesAllergic conjunctivitis in both adults and childrenInfection in eyes and eyelidsIn severe cases, vision impairment due to UV damage to the retinaTips to take care of eyes
Wear protective eyewear: While going out, wear good UV-blocking glasses which shield the eyes from harmful pollutants as well as UVA and UVB rays.Maintain eye hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and do not touch your eyes with dirty hands. Bacterial infections are more common in summer. This simple technique can prevent eye infection to a great extent.Keep yourself hydrated: In summer, a dehydrated body leads to dehydrated eyes, which increases dryness and irritation.Avoid going out in the sun at peak hoursWear a hat or keep a wet towel on your head: Do this while walking out in scorching heat.Use eye shields: Use protective eye shields or wrap-around glasses while working. This is especially for people who work in extremely polluted areas like construction workers or field workers.Avoid too much screen time: Take even breaks while using laptops or phones and follow the 20-20-20 rule: After 20 minutes at the computer, shift the eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.
Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops: Any lubricating eye drop can be used to keep the eyes moist, or wash your eyes with cold water when you come back home.Use makeup with caution: Do not use expired cosmetics. Do not apply cosmetics very near to the eye margins as they can block the glands present in eyelids. Always remove makeup at night. Do not sleep with makeup on as it increases the chances of eye infection.Use air conditioners with caution: Do not expose yourself to sudden cold air after coming inside from very hot surroundings. Keep the AC air away from your face and use a humidifier at workplace so that your eyes are not always exposed to dry, cold air.In case of any eye condition, do not wait until it gets worse. Consult your ophthalmologist immediately for the correct treatment.
(Author: Dr. Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Consultant & Eye Surgeon, Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi)
