Heat Wave And Eye Care

Synopsis:

As temperatures reach record highs, your eyes may feel sore, gritty, and tired. Burning sensations, blurry vision, and watering are all signs of eye strain. Intense heat affects both the skin and eyes at the same time. Heat waves can reduce tear production and cause dry eyes. The intense heat can lead to sunburn of the eye, worsening dry eye syndrome. Dehydration can increase discomfort, causing dryness in the eyes and reducing tear production.

Pollen counts can trigger allergic reactions, leading to itchiness, redness, and watery eyes.

Retina Damage: Heat-induced blood clots on the retina can lead to an eye stroke, disrupting oxygen flow and causing retina damage. These factors emphasize the significant importance of eye care during hot and humid conditions.

Extreme heat waves and UV radiation can lead to the following eye conditions:

Photokeratitis:

Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to photokeratitis, essentially a sunburn. Symptoms include redness, blurry vision, and sometimes temporary vision loss. Dry Eye Syndrome: Heat waves can typically cause dry eyes, reducing tear production and leading to eye dryness, itching, redness, and a gritty sensation.

Eye Allergies: Soaring temperatures can lead to eye allergies, triggering allergic reactions that result in watery and itchy eyes.

Stye: A common infection during summer is the development of a stye, a small and painful lump that develops from the lower part of the eyelash or under the eyelids. It is important to consult an ophthalmologist to prevent further complications.

Wearing UV Sunglasses: Shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays is as important as protecting your skin. There is an increased risk of cataracts and macular degeneration due to prolonged exposure too UV rays. Make sure you invest in high-quality sunglasses that can protect from UVB and UVA rays.

Limit Exposure to AC: Take breaks if you are in an air-conditioned room to help maintain your eye health and balance the moisture in your eyes. Avoid sitting in front of air vents and make use of a humidifier to add moisture back to the air.

 Diet:

 Diet plays a significant role in maintaining eye health. Foods rich in vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids are key to maintaining good eye health, reducing age-related vision problems to a certain extent. Include plenty of fish, nuts, fruits, and fresh leafy vegetables in your diet to maintain the level of nutrients in your body to combat heat-induced stress.

Eye Hygiene:

Sweat and environmental pollutants can easily cause discomfort to your eyes, leading to infections like conjunctivitis and stye. Reduce the amount of sweat and dust reaching your eyes by wearing a cap with a brim that can act as a layer of protection.

Screen-Break:

Taking a screen break is of paramount importance. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every twenty minutes, take a break from your screen time and look at something that is 20 feet away. This will give your eyes the much-needed relaxation to rest and recover.

 As always prevention is better than cure, consult an ophthalmologist if you have any discomfort to mitigate further issues.