Eye care during monsoon: Although this season increases your risk of having skin problems and allergies, eye infections also become more likely as the air becomes contaminated with germs and viruses. Redness, burning sensation and swelling around the eyes become common.
A little eye care can go a long way in preventing infections and keeping your eyes healthy so you can fully enjoy the monsoon season. After all, prevention is better than cure.
In an interview with Zee English, Dr. Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Consultant and Eye Surgeon at Neytra Eye Centre, shares “Monsoon season is brewing in Delhi. witnessed heavy downpours for 3-4 consecutive days and hourly rain since late June Schools have also been closed due to the monsoons which are at their peak across Delhi NCR and various parts of India.
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The monsoon season is undoubtedly a necessity, but it comes with many viral and bacterial eye infections such as conjunctivitis, eye allergies and infections of the intestine, upper and lower respiratory tract.
We can enjoy the booming monsoon simply by taking the necessary precautions and avoiding eye infections.
Common eye infections and irritations during the monsoon
Common eye complications to manage during this monsoon are:
1. Conjunctivitis: July saw a sudden rash in cases of conjunctivitis also known as pink eye. This is caused by bacterial and/or viral infections of the eye. Visible symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyes, release of yellow sticky eye discharge, eye irritation accompanied by pain. These signs accelerate due to a higher percentage of humidity in the atmosphere.
The above situation can be avoided easily by washing your hands regularly. Avoid touching your eyes and do not hesitate to contact your ophthalmologist as soon as you start to feel the first symptoms of the infection.
2. Eyelid infections: Hot and humid rainy weather also increases the chances of eyelid infections like styes or chalazions.
Be sure not to touch or rub your eyes and avoid sharing towels, eye makeup, tissues and other personal items.
3. Dacryocystitis: This is a type of tear sac infection that occurs when the drainage of tears from the eyes to the nose is blocked. The blocked areas promote the growth of microbes leading to swelling and pain in the inner area of the eye. People who have frequent watery eyes are prone to developing this condition in hot, humid weather.
You should see an oculoplastic surgeon as soon as you experience the symptoms.
4. Dry eyes: It is a common condition faced by patients during the monsoon season. This happens due to disturbances caused by the tear film present in the eyes. As a result, your eyes become prone to allergies as well as infections.
To solve the problem of dry eyes, repetitive lubrication is necessary using eye drops prescribed by your ophthalmologist.
Also read: Monsoon health tips: Dengue fever, flu and waterborne illnesses on the rise, see expert advice
Tips to Prevent Eye Infections During Monsoon
Here are some essential eye care tips to prevent eye infections during monsoons:
1. Don’t let rainwater get into your eyes
When it rains, we all love to enjoy the good weather, but little do we know that rainwater has irritants, air pollutants, bacteria and viruses that mix with it and get into your eyes, which makes your eye prone to eye infections. So make sure that if you accidentally get wet in the rain or get rainwater in your eyes, wash your eyes with water.
2. Take care of our glasses (glasses or contact lenses)
Pack contact lens solution and use as needed. Keep cleaning your glasses with a clean handkerchief or linen cloth before wearing them during the monsoon season.
3. Wash your hands frequently
A common misconception is that conjunctivitis is spread by looking into the eyes of an infected person. But the truth is that the disease spreads through physical contact, when we touch the belongings or other objects of an infected person. Thus, you need to wash your hands once in a while to ward off these infections.
4. Do not self-medicate
When you have sticky eye discharge, watery eyes, or eye irritation. Most of the time we go straight to the pharmacy and get eye drops, but this should be avoided as these eye drops may contain steroids. It is therefore advisable to consult an ophthalmologist in the event of an eye problem.
5. During the rainy season, avoid sharing cosmetics, pillowcases, handkerchiefs and towels.
6. Clean contact lenses daily even when not in use.
7. Discard expired eye cosmetics, contact lens solution, or cosmetics that are no longer in use (after opening).
8. Use lubricating eye drops for dry eyes.
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9. In case of infections, show them as soon as possible to the ophthalmologists to avoid transmitting the infection to others.
10. In infected children, avoid sending them to school for a few days.
11. Avoid excessive screen time to avoid unnecessary eye strain.
12. Do not self-medicate or put over-the-counter medications in your eyes (except lubricants).