Keep your eyes safe from smog this Diwali

There’s no denying that the air we inhale is laden with a layer of poisonous pollutants and obnoxious gases. In fact, some studies on air pollution have revealed that the air quality in NCR is as bad as smoking 40-50 cigarettes in a day. This extreme level of air pollution, in the form of ‘smog’ not only affects our respiratory and cardiovascular systems, but it causes damage to our eyes too.

Drink at least 2 litres of water every day. Safety Comes First and wear UV protected sunglasses when you step outdoors. Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in omega 3.

Dr. Shantanu Mukherji, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, says, “This is just the tip of the iceberg, Diwali comes and the air quality is only gets deteriorate further. Smoke from firecrackers adding to the activities like stubble fires by farmers, burning of leaves and heaps of garbage are autumn fall along with non-stop toxic vehicular pollution will only worsen Delhi’s already hazardous air quality. Though the health impact of these pollutants can range from asthma to cancer, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease, it can have severe effects on our eyes too.”

“Children are always the worst sufferers of these effects, leading to a multiple of health problems such as various eye allergies and infections like watering and red eyes, burning, itchy eyes and dry eyes, etc.,” added Dr.Shantanu.

The sign and symptoms of eye infection may include:

Persistent redness or swelling

Burning sensation

Watery eyes

Itching

Dryness

Precautions

In case of irritation or redness in eyes, do not rub them. Wash your eyes with cold water to prevent any further infection.

Drink at least 2 litres of water every day.

Use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by your eye doctor.

Wear UV protected sunglasses when you step outdoors.

Avoid contact lens and eye makeup of there is itching or redness in eyes.

Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in omega 3.

Ensure adequate period of rest from digital devices to avoid eye fatigue, dry eyes and computer vision syndrome.

The winter in India gives us respite from hot and sweaty days but it also brings along a plethora of health problems, especially to our eyes. More so, because the calm and cool weather makes pollution hang heavy in the air. And what’s worrying is the fact that every year the severity of the smog is only on the rise in the capital city and surrounding areas. Unsurprisingly, many even complained of inability to sight the moon this Karwa-chauth, as it was hidden under a blanket of misty smog.

There’s no denying that the air we inhale is laden with a layer of poisonous pollutants and obnoxious gases. In fact, some studies on air pollution have revealed that the air quality in NCR is as bad as smoking 40-50 cigarettes in a day. This extreme level of air pollution, in the form of ‘smog’ not only affects our respiratory and cardiovascular systems, but it causes damage to our eyes too.

Drink at least 2 litres of water every day. Safety Comes First and wear UV protected sunglasses when you step outdoors. Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in omega 3.

Dr. Shantanu Mukherji, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, says, “This is just the tip of the iceberg, Diwali comes and the air quality is only gets deteriorate further. Smoke from firecrackers adding to the activities like stubble fires by farmers, burning of leaves and heaps of garbage are autumn fall along with non-stop toxic vehicular pollution will only worsen Delhi’s already hazardous air quality. Though the health impact of these pollutants can range from asthma to cancer, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease, it can have severe effects on our eyes too.”

“Children are always the worst sufferers of these effects, leading to a multiple of health problems such as various eye allergies and infections like watering and red eyes, burning, itchy eyes and dry eyes, etc.,” added Dr.Shantanu.

The sign and symptoms of eye infection may include:

Persistent redness or swelling

Burning sensation

Watery eyes

Itching

Dryness

Precautions

In case of irritation or redness in eyes, do not rub them. Wash your eyes with cold water to prevent any further infection.

Drink at least 2 litres of water every day.

Use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by your eye doctor.

Wear UV protected sunglasses when you step outdoors.

Avoid contact lens and eye makeup of there is itching or redness in eyes.

Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in omega 3.

Ensure an adequate period of rest from digital devices to avoid eye fatigue, dry eyes, and computer vision syndrome.