Do you get up with burning sensation in eyes or purple and watery eyes nowadays? High air pollution ranges in Delhi-NCR, are affecting nearly each side of our well being and that features ocular well being. When eye pressure meets air pollution, visible points are certain to worsen. Exposure to environmental pollution corresponding to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and mud particles are making folks vulnerable to purple, watery eyes and varied eye allergic reactions. It is necessary to help your eye well being with protecting eyewear and in addition nutritious and hydrating meals excessive in fibre, nutritional vitamins and different important vitamins. Drinking loads of water can even assist take care of the dangerous results of air pollution. (Also learn: Should we go for morning walk amid severe pollution? Dos and don’ts of exercising in pollution season)

“Research increasingly points to air pollution not just as an irritant, but as a serious antagonist to ocular health. The cornea and conjunctiva are directly exposed to the environment, making them particularly vulnerable to the fine and ultrafine particles that compose urban smog. These particles, especially PM2.5, are small enough to infiltrate the ocular surface, potentially causing oxidative stress and inflammation that can lead to conditions like dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, and even disruption of the tear film,” says Dr Shantanu Mukherji, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals.

“Exposure to extreme polluted smog can affect our eyes, leading to allergies and damage. Poor quality of air comprises detrimental gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and coarse dust particles which can make people prone to red and watery eyes and various eye allergies. Due to air pollution/smog, people may develop the most common eye conditions that include watery eyes, swelling, itching sensation, burning sensation, discomfort, sore eyes, redness, dry eyes (dryness, gritty feeling, foreign body in the eye) and eye allergy (itching, redness, discharge, eyelid swelling, blurring of vision and increased risk of infection etc.),” says Dr. Nikhil Seth, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad

“The insidious nature of air pollution can make its impact on eye health both underestimated and profound. Particulate matter, especially fine particles like PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide prevalent in urban pollution, can lead to an array of ocular irritations — from the simple stinging sensation to the complex chemical burns on the ocular surface. These pollutants are not merely surface irritants but can trigger a cascade of inflammatory responses that damage the eyes’ surface and internal structures over time. We’re now understanding that such inflammation can set the stage for more serious disorders, potentially accelerating the progression of cataracts and causing retinal damage akin to the effects seen in macular degeneration,” says Dr. Bhupesh Singh, Senior Ophthalmologist, Bharti Eye Hospitals.

How long-term publicity of pollution impacts eye well being

“Chronic exposure to air pollutants can exacerbate the risk of more severe ocular pathologies, such as uveitis or retinal diseases, and there’s emerging evidence that it may contribute to the development of cataracts and possibly worsen age-related macular degeneration,” says Dr Mukherji.

How to guard your eyes from antagonistic results of air pollution

“During pollution-heavy seasons, it is crucial to take proactive steps: wearing glasses or goggles creates a barrier against direct exposure, and high-quality air purifiers can markedly decrease indoor pollution levels. Regular eye care, including cleansing with preservative-free preparations and maintaining a diet rich in vitamins and minerals essential for eye health, remains vital. It is important to be vigilant during periods of high pollution and include more frequent check-ups to catch and address the subtle onset of pollution-induced eye health decline. This holistic approach to eye care is key to mitigating the detrimental effects of air pollution,” says Dr Singh.

As we enter seasons of heightened air pollution, it is crucial to undertake protecting measures. Dr Sethi shares some suggestions:

• Wearing close-fitting eyewear can present a bodily protect towards particulates, whereas indoor air filters assist scale back publicity.
• Using synthetic tears or lubricating eye drops can mitigate irritation and help in flushing out overseas matter.
• Nutritional help for the eyes, together with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help counteract the affect of oxidative stress.
• Regular eye examinations develop into much more vital throughout these durations to make sure any antagonistic results are caught and handled early, safeguarding long-term imaginative and prescient and eye well being.

Dr Seth shares tricks to comply with to decrease the chance of infections:

• Avoid publicity to dangerous pollution. Stay indoors, particularly within the early hours of the morning because the air pollution ranges are at their peak right now. In case it’s important to enterprise out, so be sure to put on protecting eyeglasses which can assist scale back your publicity to the air pollution inflicting brokers.
• Wash your arms regularly with cleaning soap and working water and keep away from touching your eyes
• Keep your self hydrated by consuming loads of water as it’s going to help in enough tear formation. It is essential when exterior components corresponding to smog increase your probabilities of dry eyes and eye irritation.
• Eat a nutritious diet excessive in Omega 3 fatty acid together with a lot of inexperienced leafy greens, carrots, spinach, almonds, walnuts, berries and fish that are extraordinarily good for the eyes.
• Wear sun shades when outside.
• Refrain from rubbing your eyes.
• Use eye drops to lubricate your eyes. However, it’s necessary to get your eyes examined earlier than utilizing any eye drops.
• Also lower down the extreme use of display screen gadgets, together with cell phones and laptops. If important, guarantee enough durations of relaxation to keep away from eye fatigue, dry eyes, and pc imaginative and prescient syndrome.

In case the irritation persists, seek the advice of ophthalmologist for an analysis.

“It is advisable to avoid using contact lenses if there is any redness or discomfort in the eye. Wearing protective glasses over contact lenses may be useful when the particulate matter index is at an alarming level. In case you wear contact lenses and experience any discomfort, then take them off and use lubricating eye drops as an emergency measure. You must seek an appointment with your ophthalmologist. If you are willing to wear the same lenses again, then make sure these lenses have been appropriately cleaned and have no scratches. Say no to eye makeup if eyes are feeling uncomfortable. Kajal and mascara often worsen eye allergies and may cause infections also. You must also remove all eye makeup before going to bed. Use a specialized eye makeup remover to mitigate the ill effects of the chemicals found in makeup products,” concludes Dr Seth.

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