BENGALURU: As Delhi succumbs to hazardous smog, the city once again is the talk-of-the-town as being coined the most polluted city in the world due to its rampant rise in air pollution. Given the growing vehicle numbers and subsequent congestion, air pollution in Bengaluru is a growing concern catching up to the plight of Delhi.
As of May 2016, data has revealed that number of vehicles on the city’s roads crossed the 60-lakh mark and according to government sources, this has transpired thanks to an estimated addition of around 5 lakh vehicles each financial year.
While at the garden city of India, we are fighting to curb the pollution levels most of us are battling a war to keep ourselves fit and healthy, we tend to forget one of our most vital body part - our eyes.
The increasing level of pollutants in Bangalore, can cause various eye conditions like eye irritation, conjunctivitis and severe allergies. Redness, itching, burning sensation and unclear vision are some of the common things which we have to struggle with, but fret not, as we bring to you some simple and easy eye-care tips, which one can follow at home/ during work and make sure one has healthy and sparkling eyes.
■ Wash your eyes with cold running water, when you are back from outdoors
■ Wear over-sized sunglasses when outdoors, to ensure greater coverage from pollution
■ Use wrap-around eyewear while outdoors at work or play
■ Avoid rubbing your eyes, if tiny pollutants enter
■ Place cucumbers / cool compress on your eyes and rest, to help reduce inflammation
■ Use lubricating eye drops by specialists as a daily eye-care regime
■ Use medicated rose water to clean your eyes
Most important of all, eat a healthy diet including lots of carrots, green leafy vegetables, almonds, berries, fish etc. which are extremely good for the eyes
Lastly, for our overall well-being, optimal vision care, and as precautionary measures to be taken in smoggy or polluted weather, it would be ideal to avoid exposure to pollution.
Staying indoors prevents subjecting oneself to infections. Areas which are heavily industrialized should be avoided. The ultrafine particulate matters are harmful as prolonged exposure to them could cause respiratory diseases and other bronchial diseases.
One can choose to close the windows of their car during peak traffic hour commute to prevent further damage. Practice of day to day overall hygiene is highly recommended. In case of prolonged eye infections/ allergies, visit a specialist and undergo regular eye check-ups.
Let’s work together to free our city from the menace of pollution and restore its reputation as the ‘Garden City of India’.
The author is the Chief Optometrist & Head Technical Services, Titan Eyewear Division