Take Care of Your Eyes, a Dry Summer is Here

Complaints of conjunctivitis and allergies are common as summer sets in. Children are particularly at risk.

BENGALURU: March is not just a month of exams but also of eye-related problems like conjunctivitis, allergy and dryness.

Worried about exams, parents generally tend to ignore conjunctivitis symptoms and send their children to school. In the case of viral conjunctivitis, the infection not only increases but also spreads to other children.

Meera Natwar noticed dryness in her 10-year-old son’s eyes. She got him tested as she feared he might miss his exams. Her first impulse was to send him to school, lest he miss his portions.

But his eyelids started bulging and her doctor warned her about the risk of the infection spreading to other children. Eventually, she kept her son at home and gave him the prescribed medicines. “He is doing fine and will soon write his exams,” she said.

Viral conjunctivitis stays at least for a week, according to Dr Kaushik Murali, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Sankara Eye Hospital.

Dr K Bhujanga Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Netralaya Hospitals, says many parents rush to hospital the moment they notice any watering or irritation in their children’s eyes.

“We see at least 20 paediatric cases a day. Many parents are worried about the exams and we advise them to let the child rest,” he said.

With books becoming glossier, and children and youths gazing for long hours at mobile phones, desktop computers and laptops to study, the problem of dry eyes is common.

Dr Sunita Agarwal of Agarwal Hospitals says, "The hot weather causes evaporation of the fluid that lubricates the eyes. During this season, people come to us with irritation and watery eyes. About 40 per cent of patients have conjunctivitis, allergy and dry eyes.”

Anti-glare glasses are advised for children who read a lot from screens. Eye ointments and multi-vitamin tablets also bring down dryness.

How to Battle Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis can be prevented by improving hygiene.

Those with an infection should avoid touching their eyes. They should wash their hands as frequently as possible with soap and water.

Use cotton or tissue to clean any discharge around your eyes.

Wash towels, pillow cases and bed sheets used by those infected separately.

Do not share make-up with your family or friends.

Those using contact lenses should not wear them if they have any redness or discharge from the eyes.

Children and office-goers with conjunctivitis should stay home as the infection spreads by touch.

Though the summer heat may entice you to swim, keep out of the pool if you have conjunctivitis.

Visit an ophthalmologist to get appropriate treatment. Do not self-medicate.

What Docs Say

Keep wet tissues and wipe your eyes often to prevent dust allergy.

Sanitise your contact lens before putting it on. If the lenses are causing irritation, replace them.

Wash your eyes by using a sterile eye wash solution. Rinse an eye cup with the solution first. Then fill the cup halfway with the solution. Bend forward and place the cup around the eye, pressing it against the skin to seal it. Holding the cup, lean head back. Open your eye two to three times while moving it around to flush out any debris. Set the cup down and gently towel dry the exterior of your eye. Repeat the process to wash your other eye.

Always wear sunglasses with wrap-around lenses when you go outdoors.

The wrap-around sides help prevent allergens and dust from getting near your eyes.

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