The sweltering summer heat has arrived, and is here to stay for a while. You may squint each time the sun scalds your face, or you may carefully hide under the green canopies. The roads are exploding with colour, where riders zoom past you wrapped in beautiful shawls like Russian dolls. The summer heat is like an unruly child who refuses to pipe down.
As we grudgingly soak up the sun, there comes a day when our eyes too soak up the colour of the raging sun if we aren’t careful enough. Turning red and itchy, the eye announces clearly: No more sunrays please!
Summer is the season of eye diseases. While conjunctivitis is the most common one, dry eyes, stye and eye allergy are a few other problems our eyes may have to tackle in the coming months. Here’s how you can tell if that discomfort you’re feeling is more than just ordinary dirt in your eyes.
Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye or red eye, this is one condition most of us might have had at some point in our lives. The eyes becomes red, itchy and watery. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.
It's a contagious disease, which means it can spread from one person to another. But the common precaution of avoiding eye-contact with infected persons is just a myth. It can only be contracted through direct contact with an infected person, or sharing objects with them.
Conjunctivitis could be caused by a bacterial, viral, fungal or some other kind of infection. It is best to visit an eye doctor to figure out the cause and get the right treatment.
Stye
Stye is a bacterial infection that causes tiny swelling on either one or both of the eyelids. There is pain, swelling and redness in the eye. It is very common among children.
Dry eyes
This condition happens when the tear film of the eye evaporates too soon because of high temperatures. There is irritation and a burning sensation in the eyes. People who have previously had eye diseases are more prone to dry eyes.
Eye Allergy
The eyes are very sensitive to the air during summer. Because of the heat and the high levels of pollutants and/or irritants in the air, eyes tend to have allergic reactions. Redness, itching and burning sensation are the usual symptoms.
While these problems are usually short-lived, they can be really uncomfortable and can majorly disrupt our routine. Here are a few simple acts of self-care and precaution that can help you avoid these problems, and have a pleasant summer.
When stepping outdoors, always wear shades that have complete UV protection
When swimming, make it a point to wear goggles with adequate sealing
Avoid sharing handkerchiefs, towels, pillowcases and sheets
Try to use clean and fresh disposable tissues
Avoid sharing cosmetics
Keep surfaces in the indoors of the house dustless
Avoid making direct eye-contact with air from the AC
Take care of personal hygiene
Do not touch or rub your eyes hard
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
And most importantly, avoid self-treatment. Visit your eye doctor to know the exact cause for the condition and get medical treatment.