PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, May 5: As the temperature keeps on taking off, everybody guarantees to deal with health, skin and hair. However, some often miss paying attention to one of the most important parts of the body affected by the summer heat which is our eyes.
Summer weather conditions are much of the time a trigger to eye illnesses and many examinations have connected eye sicknesses with an individual way of life factors like smoking, obesity or hypertension. Hence, adherence to a healthy lifestyle is encouraged to prevent this age-related disease which can also be prevented with primary prevention and early detection approaches.
According to Dr Sunil Kumar of the Eye Department at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, “The sun’s scorching heat is extremely harmful to the eyes. Summertime exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of cataracts and retinal damage.”
“Cornea burn, dry eye, tired eyes, pain and allergies are some of the common ophthalmological issues of the summer season. When people think of sunburns, the focus mostly is on the skin but very few are aware of the fact that excessive heat and harmful UV rays can also lead to corneal burns, a condition where one gets a blurry vision, dryness and a gritty feeling in the eye. Therefore, it becomes all the more important to adhere to an eyecare regime during summers because our eyes’ tear film gets evaporated due to the direct exposure to sunlight and excessive heat,” added Dr Sunil.
He further said that it can also cause eye allergies, which range from mild itching and redness to severe watering and swelling of the eyelids, sties, and bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. Excessive heat exposure can result in ocular burns, cataracts, macular degeneration (a leading cause of blindness), and cancer.
This is mainly because the heat and the high levels of pollutants and irritants in the air make our eyes prone to allergic reactions such as redness, itching and burning sensation, the doctor explained.
Dr Sunil listed essential eye care tips one should religiously follow for healthy eyes:
- Wear sunglasses when stepping out.
- Remain hydrated.
- Keep your eyes lubricated with eye drops.
- Be careful when you are applying sunscreen on your face.
- Avoid midday sun.
- Always wear eye protection while doing outdoor activities.
Dr Sunil added: “If one does not use proper eye protection from the sun, dry eyes can develop as the tear film on the eye can evaporate more quickly.”
