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Prevent Serious Eye Problems this Summer and Monsoon

By Dr. Sanjay Dhawan in Eye Care / Ophthalmology

Nov 09 , 2020 | 3 min read

It is true that the scorching Indian summer can usher a sense of relief from the heat but it certainly brings woes to your eyes. Dr. Sanjay Dhawan describes below a few eye problems that you should be careful of especially during this season:

  • Eye Allergies especially spring catarrh
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Dry Eye
  • Trachoma & Swimming Pool Conjunctivitis
  • Other infections

What is conjunctivitis and how is it caused?

The surface of the white of the eye and the back of eyelids is covered by a thin protective membrane called conjunctiva. Inflammation i.e. redness and swelling of this membrane is called as conjunctivitis.

The common causes of conjunctivitis are:

  • Infection - Virus, Bacteria, Chlamydia, etc
  • Allergy - to dust, pollen, animal dandruff, medicines, cosmetics, contact-lenses, etc
  • Chemicals - acid, alkali, cosmetics, contact lens cleaning solutions, bleach in swimming pool, etc.
  • Injury - mechanical, heat, radiation, etc.

Viral infections are prone to occur as epidemics during the rainy season when the body immunity may be low and the conditions are favorable for the spread of infection. Infection tends to spread by direct contact, fingers, flies, and fomites (e.g. towel, toiletries, etc).

Is there any treatment available?

Ideally, one should consult an eye surgeon immediately and have proper treatment initiated. But if medical help is not available then it may help to wash the eye gently with clean water, do some cold compresses using ice packs, and instill some mild antibiotic drops (e.g., Chloramphenicol, etc.). Self-medication should be avoided as far as possible and in no case should you use steroid eye drops without proper medical advice.

 Any precautions one should observe to prevent conjunctivitis or its spread?

Some precautions may help in making the patient more comfortable during conjunctivitis and prevent its spread to others.

  • Discontinue contact lenses immediately
  • Do not share handkerchief, towels and other toiletries
  • Avoid close contact with people suffering from conjunctivitis (casual interaction does not lead to spread of infection)
  • Wash your hands immediately after taking care of a family member suffering from conjunctivitis
  • Avoid swimming if you have conjunctivitis
  • Avoid swimming during epidemics of conjunctivitis
  • Avoid exposure to dust pollution, chemicals, fumes and bright sunlight
  • Use sunglasses if have conjunctivitis to avoid discomfort from bright light and to avoid alarming people around you
  • Avoid crowded places during epidemics

 Which eye allergies are common during summer months?

One can get an allergy to heat, dust & sun during the summer months. There could also be allergies to certain pollen or organic dust at the onset & end of summer season. Spring Catarrh or vernal conjunctivitis is a type of allergy seen in young boys most commonly during summer months.

 What is the treatment of allergy?

Dr. Sanjay Dhawan says the best form of treatment for allergy, if at all possible, is to identify & avoid causative agent or allergen. But in most cases, it is either not possible to find out exact agent causing allergy or to completely avoid it. In these situations, one needs to use the anti-allergy medication in the form of anti-histaminics, mast-cell stabilizing drugs &, if the allergy is severe, steroids. 

 What is Dry Eye & how to treat it?

Dry eye is a condition where the tear film of the eye is inadequate in quantity or quality, thereby resulting in an unstable tear film which breaks frequently giving rise to dry spots on cornea of the eye. This can cause irritation, redness, soreness, dry feeling, gritty sensation and paradoxically reflex watering. These symptoms can get worse because of exposure to dry cold air, hot wind and reduced blinking seen while working on computers, watching TV or prolonged reading.

Treatment is usually in the form of frequent instillation of lubricant or artificial tear eye drops. One should also  avoid conditions that aggravate dry eye. Examination by an eye surgeon can help to rule out underlying treatable causes of dry eye.