How to Prevent Common Eye Infections in Summer

How to Prevent Common Eye Infections in Summer

Apart from the sweltering heat, summer brings with it a host of eye problems to deal with. Summer sun can adversely affect the eye and cause various vision problems. For instance, overexposure to ultraviolet rays may cause cataracts, retinal damage and other eye problems too. Much like we use sunscreens to protect our skin, let us not miss to protect our eyes too.Our eyes are one of the most important and delicate parts of our body and therefore, are prone to get infected during summers, which causes common eye diseases in summer months. Even allergic disorders of the eye increase during summers. Hence its recommended to follow proper eye care tips for summers so as to avoid redness, burning and itchy eyes in summer.

Read Also: Why Chronic Dry Eye Affects Women?

Contents

• 1 Here’s a list of common summer eye diseases and allergies to watch out for:
  • Conjunctivitis:
  • Dry Eyes:
  • Styes:
  • Corneal Ulcer:
  • How to Take Care of Eyes in Summer

Here’s a list of common summer eye diseases and allergies to watch out for:

 #1 Conjunctivitis:

This is one of the most common summer eye infection and is characterised by redness of eyes, pricking sensation, discharge and watering eyes. Conjunctivitis needs immediate treatment as it is contagious and spreads from one person to another. On diagnosis, one should maintain good hygiene by washing eyes with clean and cold water. Make sure to follow basic eye care tips in summer like not to share handkerchiefs, towels or pillow with anyone as the eye infection spreads easily. Use antibiotic eye drops and appointment as prescribed by your ophthalmologist.

#2 Dry Eyes:

Dry eyes in summer is another eye problem commonly seen during these hot and humid months. With the increase in temperature, rapid tear film evaporation takes place which causes irritation and eye burning in summer. Common symptoms of this condition are red and itchy eyes accompanied with burning sensation, gritty sensation, etc. So as to ease symptoms one must use lubricating eye drops, artificial tear eye drops and ointment for relief and use cold compressions regularly.

#3 Styes:

This is a common bacterial infection of glands of eyelids which causes swelling, redness, and pain in the margins of eyelids. The swelling may burst and release pus and blood-stained discharge, which provides relief significantly. So if you develop a stye, maintain proper eye hygiene with a hot compress and use antibiotic drops along with analgesics as prescribed by your eye doctor.

# 4 Corneal Ulcer:

It is a severe infection of the cornea which may result from trauma or due to a complication of conjunctivitis or use of contaminated contact lenses. The infection can be bacterial, fungal or viral. It leads to severe pain, redness, watering, blurring of vision, photophobia and a yellowish white spot on the cornea. The immediate help of an expert eye surgeon should be sought.

Read Also:- If you or your family member has been diagnosed with any of these above mentioned allergies of infections of the eye, take these precautionary steps for fast recovery:

•   Discontinue contact lenses immediately
•   Do not share handkerchief, towels and other toiletries
•   Avoid close contact with people suffering from conjunctivitis
•   Wash your hands immediately after taking care of a family member suffering from conjunctivitis
•   Avoid swimming if you have eye allergy or infection
•   Avoid swimming during epidemics of conjunctivitis
•   Avoid exposure to dust pollution, chemicals, fumes and bright sunlight
•   Use sunglasses during summers so as to avoid discomfort from bright light and pollutants in the air
•   Avoid crowded places during epidemics

How to Take Care of Eyes in Summer

• For summer, ideal sunglasses are those with a wrap-around frame since they keep sun and dust out.
• If you’re fond of water sports, invest in a pair of good sunglasses. For outdoor activities like camping, don’t forget to wear clear,  protective glasses.
• If you swim regularly, make sure that you wear swimming goggles. In summer, most pools have increased amounts of chlorine  and other chemicals to keep water safe, which often leads to weepy, irritable eyes. Wash your eyes with fresh water when you  step out of the pool.
• Lubricating drops are ideal for summer months.
• If you notice any redness or irritation in the eye, seek an immediate appointment with your eye doctor.

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