Don't ignore eye health this summer, warns ophthalmologist

Dr Nitin Batra, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Christian Medical College and Hospital, talks to Manav Mander about some commonly occurring eye-related issues in summer and how these can be managed

The summer is at its peak, and everyone should ensure they take adequate care of their eyes. The eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet rays and several other dangers which many may not be aware of. It is generally seen that during summer; eye care is probably the last thing on people’s minds. It is vacation time and most people focus on staying hydrated, often forgetting the damage heat can do to their eyes. If adequate care is not taken.

During the hot weather, eyes have a higher sensitivity to allergens in the air, especially people with sensitive eyes. The most common symptoms are redness, irritation and a burning sensation in and around the eyes. Additionally, while dry eyes can affect anyone at any time of the year during summer the condition is more prevalent. Dry-eye symptoms can be aggravated by higher temperatures, as well as fans and air conditioning. A grainy or sandy sensation in the eye is a common symptom. Conjunctivitis is also more common during the summer because the microbes multiply faster in the heat.

So, here are some useful tips to take care of your eyes during the summer, and the most important being wearing sunglasses that provide adequate UV protection in the sun. If your shades do not offer 100 per cent UV protection, they could be doing more harm to your eyes than good.

When you’re spending time outdoors, the heat and dry winds can irritate your eyes and can cause dry eyes. The summer environment affects the tear film of the eye, drying out your eye’s surface. To protect your eyes in such conditions, use eye drops that do not contain preservatives, after consulting an ophthalmologist.

Water bodies such as lakes, rivers and even swimming pools can be contaminated with bacteria and microorganisms. This makes it risky to wear contact lenses while swimming because the organisms can get underneath the contacts and cause an infection. Goggles can reduce the chances of contamination and irritation, but it is still recommended that you splash your eyes with fresh water after getting out of the pool.

Summer is the best time to eat healthy fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, mangoes, melon and peaches are great sources of healthy nutrients for the eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the eyes as well, so don’t forget to eat your seeds and nuts.

During summers people tend to remain indoors, increasing screen time, this can cause digital eye strain and some of its symptoms are dry, tired and strained eyes, headaches and blurred vision. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means after every 20 minutes, gaze at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Reduce the luminosity and tilt your screens and incorporate anti-glare screens.

In addition, always drink plenty of water during the summer. Dehydration causes eye strain, which in turn can lead to blurry vision and blurred vision headaches.