Just a single drop of rain brings extended smiles to everyone’s face. Reason, it brings with it a welcome relief from the scorching summer heat. But while it brings happiness, it also carries with it a host of diseases like cold, cough, fever, typhoid along with some infectious eye diseases like conjunctivitis, viral/bacterial eye infection, style.
When it comes to internal diseases, we all become extra careful about. But when there is something related to our eyes’s health, we take it lightly. Special care is needed for our eyes during monsoons, as the moistness and humidity in the weather invite bacteria to grow. And for that personal hygiene becomes utmost important.
Most people love to get drenched in the rains, but do this only in moderation. Don’t spend long hours in the rain and please do not touch your eyes with dirty hands. Also, when you come back home, wash your eyes with clean water and dry your face with a clean towel.
Children have this habit of rubbing their eyes whenever they feel any sort of irritation in their eyes. So, if you notice your child doing this, please stop him/her, as this can cause eye infection like conjunctivitis. Also, make sure that you keep your kids away from places where water gets stagnant.
Many a times, when people accidentally get wet in the rain, it is noticed that they start cleaning their faces with dirty handkerchiefs. Instead of using handkerchief try using tissue papers and if you cannot get tissue paper, wash your face with clean water first, so that all the dirt gets cleaned without getting inside the eye.
If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly before wearing them again. Also, if you swim, make sure that the pool you are using is properly cleaned, as unclean water inside the pool acts as a favourable place for bacteria to breed and can cause bacterial eye infection or conjunctivitis. Moisture in the rainy season acts as a breeding ground for bacteria.
If someone close to you or in your family is diagnosed with eye infection, it is best advised that you stop sharing their personal belongings like handkerchief, towel, comb, etc. Also, avoid having food being sold at street, especially cut fruits or vegetables, as there is high possibility of the food being stagnant which can lower your immunity levels.
Having already discussed, steps to prevent eye infections, it is equally important to understand the indicators of eye infection. If you feel itchiness, redness, unusual swelling or some fluid oozing out from the eyes, it is an indication of eye infection. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, first wash your eyes with cold water and with much delaying, visit an eye specialist. On several occasions, it is noticed that when people experience symptoms of eye infection, either they start self medication or run to the nearest chemist to take any medicine or drops. Consulting a specialist is a must, as he/she is in a better position to suggest you the best course of treatment for infection. Wrong medicine used without prescription of doctors can do harm than good.
While you are suffering from an eye infection, it is important to not wear lens or use any other medications that you were using before, at least, till the time, your eye gets completely healed. While going outside, wear sunglasses, so that no dust particle gets inside the eye.
Remember ignoring any eye problem can be dangerous as it can permanently harm your eyes.
The simple precautions mentioned above can not only save your eyes from catching infection, but will also help you enjoy rain freely, without the risk of catching any eye infection.
(The writer is Eye Surgeon and Director Save Sight Centre)
