Eye Care in Monsoon

Monsoon is the time to make a splash in the rain. It is also the time when eye problems plague most people.

Regardless of how mindful you become, someone or the other around you will go, pick up an infection and pass it on to you. Children in particular need to be taught suitable hygiene measures, or else they may become the spreaders.

If you wake up to itchy, puffy or red eyes, chances are you could be infected with conjunctivitis, a stye, dry eyes or maybe a corneal ulcer.

Let us understand them.

Conjunctivitis 

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common, treatable eye infections in children and adults. Often called pink eye, it is an inflammation of the conjunctiva – the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and the white of your eyeball. This tissue helps keep the eyelid and the eyeball moist.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, irritating agents viz., shampoos, dirt, smoke, pool chlorine or allergens. Physically, the signs are often difficult to distinguish. Allergic conjunctivitis would be bilateral, produce watery discharge and be accompanied by itching, while the rest would probably start in one eye, the discharge would be thicker and stickier, and the pain would be more burning and stinging. Pink eye caused by bacteria or viruses can spread easily from person to person.

What should you do

• First and foremost, keep your eyes clean. Wash them with cold water at least three to four times during the day. Splashing cold water helps wash away the germs.
• Never share personal items such as towels or handkerchiefs with anyone.
• Stop wearing contact lenses until the inflammation has eased.
• Skip swimming sessions as they can not only aggravate the infection but also spread it.
• Wash your hands regularly and ensure those around you do the same.
• Since conjunctivitis can be viral or bacterial, you might need medicines prescribed by the doctor. It is a self-limiting disease and will go away if you take precautions.
• Wear shades to help ease the pain from sun glare, bright light or strong wind if you need to go out.
• Make sure to wipe your glasses/shades with a clean cloth to clear them of germs, if any.

Dry eyes

Dry eye is another eye infection caused by exposure to dust and pollutants. It causes irritation, pain, and loss of lubrication in the eyes, resulting in a constant outflow of water. In extreme cases, it might cause blurred vision. Although common throughout the year, during the monsoon, it gets worse as we tend to rub our eyes with dirty hands.

What should you do

• A soothing eye drop usually helps.
• Blinking the eyes every few minutes helps the eye in mucous formation.
• Looking away from the book/computer/TV screen/mobile phone every few minutes is a must.

Eye stye

Stye, an infection of a gland in the eyelid due to a duct blockage, can really cause you pain. Styes are rampant during monsoon and are usually caused by bacterial infections that give you a painful lump along the eyelid. They are usually caused by rubbing the eyes with dirty hands or by touching them after having touched the nose, because some of the bacteria found in the nose are known to cause a stye. The infection leads to pain, swelling and pus formation.

What should you do

• A hot compress will give you relief.
• Keep the lids clear of cellular debris by gently scrubbing them with a soapy solution prepared by putting a few drops of mild baby shampoo into a cup of warm water. (Baby shampoo, being alkaline in nature, will not irritate the eyes.)

Allergy

Dust, pollen, certain medicines or cosmetics can give you red and itchy eyes (if they trigger an allergic reaction). Monsoon is the season when this can accentuate further. Ladies, think about your kohl stick, eyeliner or mascara as the culprit, maybe.

What should you do

• The best thing to do is to avoid all eye makeup during the season.
• Wash your eyes frequently with cold water.
• Put some soothing eye drops.
• Make sure to give rest to your eyes for a while.

Corneal ulcer

Cornea is a thin, clear structure over the iris in your eye. A corneal ulcer is a severe form of eye infection. It can result from a bacterial or fungal infection. Contact lens users are most susceptible. Particles stuck under a lens can rub­ the cornea, quickly leading to corneal ulcers. Corneal ulcer is a serious infection as it can lead to severe pain, purulent discharge from the eye, and blurred vision. If neglected, it might result in total loss of vision and require a corneal transplant.

What should you do

• Immediately consult an ophthalmologist as the condition can cause serious issues with your vision.
• Take out your lenses as soon as possible if you use them for vision correction.

Prevention is better than a cure.

A little eye care can go a long way in keeping all sorts of infections at bay so that you can enjoy the monsoon rains to the fullest. Here are a few valuable eye-care tips:

1. Do not touch or rub your eyes with dirty hands (the habit is especially common among children). Wash your hands frequently.
2. Keep your kids away from puddles and waterlogged areas. Children often like to have fun in or around such places. Mind you, these are highly infection-prone.
3. If you get drenched in rain, remember to wash your eyes with clean water and pat dry the sides of your eyes the moment you are back home.
4. High humidity in the rainy season causes a lot of sweating. Don’t make the mistake of wiping your face, especially the area around your eyes, with a handkerchief again and again. Since it’s usually not that clean, all it’s going to do is give an infection. Use a use-and-throw tissue instead.
5. Do not share your eye drops, contact lens solutions/containers, towels, and handkerchiefs with others.
6. If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly and try not to use them when you have an infection.
7. The infection spreads via sharing stuff. Avoid sharing your cosmetic brushes, eye pencils or mascara. Eye makeup is a total no-no during an infection.
8. Wearing sunglasses when outdoors helps.
9. When going for a swim, see that the pool and the areas around the pool are absolutely clean. Bacterial infections lurk around unhygienic pools multifold during the rains.

Despite all the possible measures, if you still notice any symptoms of an eye infection, please do not self-medicate by going to the nearest chemist and asking for eye drops. Go, see a doctor.

Eat it to beat it – Nutrition for the good health of eyes

Eating healthy food is vital to eye health. To boost your immunity levels, avoid eating outside food. Have home-cooked meals and fresh seasonal vegetables, and fruits. They contain antioxidants beneficial for health. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E present in them can help you maintain good eye health.

Homoeopathy in Eye Care

While medicines like Apis mel, Arsenic, Argentum nit, Belladonna, Merc cor, Aconite, Allium cepa, and Euphrasia take good care of conjunctivitis, others like Graphites, Sulphur or Staphisagria can help a stye disappear in a couple of days without leaving any nodosities behind. No other system of medicine can give a lasting cure for styes, which are known to recur almost invariably. There are excellent remedies to combat eye allergies, which tend to trouble not just during monsoons but all year round. I have come across many patients who stopped taking steroids after being on homoeopathic medication for some time.

We are all extra careful about serious diseases, but when it comes to the safety of our eyes, unfortunately, we are not as mindful! Our eyes need a little “extra” during monsoons, as the moist and humid conditions make it the most favorable time for the infection-causing microorganisms to thrive.

It is a good idea to instil 2-3 drops of the famous Cineraria or Euphrasia Eyedrops in your eyes just before going to bed to rejuvenate and brighten them this monsoon season.

A well-balanced n healthy diet, proper hygiene and a little bit of medication (wherever required) will help tide you through the season without worry.