For Your Eyes Only

Are sun rays and heat harmful for the eyes? Yes. With the depletion of the ozone layer, the expo-sure to ultra-violate rays is also on the rise. This, say doctors, poses an increased risk of cataract (an eye disease that could lead to blindness) and other eye diseases. Heat causes the following eye-related problems:

Cataract and retinal degeneration

According to experts, the sun’s harsh rays in-crease the chances of eye ailments. “During summer, the chances of developing cataract are high and there is also an increased incidence of retinal degeneration,” says Dr Harbansh Lal, senior surgeon and ophthalmologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.

Dry eye disease

The summer strain can cause problems among patients suffering from diseases like dry eye as there is less stimulation of tears. “Dry eye disease can get aggravated in summer. More so if your eyes are already strained due to long hours of study or working on computers,” says Dr Lal.

Infective Conjunctivitis

The constant rubbing and dryness of eyes make them vulnerable to infection. The common symptoms are redness, itching, watery or sticky discharge from the eyes, and blurred vision.

Goggle-eyed

Those smart goggles are not only a style state-ment but also an effective shield from the sun. However, you have to be careful in selecting the right one. “If your sunglasses have no pro-tection, you’d rather not wear any,” says Dr Lal. In fact, wearing the wrong sunglass can harm your eyes more. “Pupils naturally contract in the sun, allowing less sun to reach the eyes. But when you wear dark lens, pupils open wider. This can be very harmful to your eyes if the glasses have no protection,” he says. In short, be quality-conscious when choosing sunglasses. Go for a good brand that offers pro-tection from both UVA and UVB rays. “Last but not the least, make sure the glasses have zero power. If you require power glasses, you can order customised ones,” says Dr Lal.

The prescription

• Get good sunglasses

• Keep your eyes cool by splashing cold water. Cold pads are also a good option

• Don’t forget the kids: It might be easier to make them wear a wide-brimmed hat than sunglasses, but do it

• If you suffer from redness and irritation, con-sult your pharmacist for some good eye lubri-cant. But ensure they have no steroids

• For chronic eye problems, rush to your doctor

• Don’t rub your eyes frequently

• Protect your eyes from dust during summer sports