Our eyes are more prone to get infected during the spring season. In conversation with Dr. Dikshya Malla, the Ophthalmologist, we talk about how to protect our eyes during spring.

 

1. How can we take care of our eyes in the spring season?

-  We should take care of our eyes every time of the year. But during spring, it is important to wear sunglasses when we go out to protect our eyes from wind and dust.

- Washing our hands and using sanitizer is necessary to keep germs from getting in contact with our eyes.

- We should avoid touching and rubbing our eyes because our hands are exposed to a lot of dirt, dust, and bacteria which when comes in contact with our eyes can cause an eye infection.

- During the spring season, seasonal allergies are common especially among children so it is advised to stay away from sources of dust, irritants, and pollen.

- When you notice some problem in your eyes, do not delay visiting an eye doctor.

- Apart from these we should maintain our eye hygiene by washing properly.

- Do not stay in the fan and AC for too long.

 -Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated.

- Use lubricant eye drops.

 

2. Why do eyes get dry in the spring season, is it normal?

Most people these days have dry eyes and during the spring season dry eye symptoms flare-up.  Dry eye symptoms worsen in spring especially when it’s windy because of the high chance of exposure to dust pollen and other irritants. And also people tend to sit in fans and A.C. which causes our tears to evaporate quickly making our eyes dry.

 

3. What are the other eye problems that are often seen during this season?

 Seasonal eye allergy is the commonest eye problem during this season due to an increase in allergens in the air. If you suffer from seasonal allergies your dry eyes symptoms may worsen in springtime. Apart from this, during windy times, it is common for patients with foreign body entry in the eye (dust particles) to visit the eye hospital.

 

4. Do certain kinds of food help to keep our eyes healthy?

 A balanced diet is required for a healthy body and healthy eyes as well. Certain nutrients like Beta Carotene, Omega-3, Vit C & E, Zinc, Copper are good for the eyes. Foods that contain those nutrients help to keep our eyes healthy. Like green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, nuts, and legumes, citrus fruits, egg, meat.

 

5. When should we rush into the hospital for an eye check-up?

When we notice something different than normal in our eyes we should visit the eye doctor. Like when you have some discomfort in the eyes when you see less or blur than normal when you have some symptoms like red eyes, itching, burning.

 

6. What not to do, to protect eyes during this season?

- Prevent exposure to dirt, dust, irritants, and sun in your daily environment.

- Avoid outdoor activities on windy days.

- Avoid sitting in front of a fan or AC for too long.

 

7. Why do some people get eye problems during this season and most of them don't?

Most of the people who work outside or do outdoor activities are more prone to having eye problems. People with a nasal allergy or skin allergy are more likely to have seasonal eye allergies. Children are mostly affected in the springtime because they prefer to spend much time outdoors.

  

8. How severe can it get?

The most common eye problem during spring is seasonal eye allergy which tends to be recurrent and many persist till decades of life. In recurrent and long-lasting causes, when there is the involvement of cornea, scarring may occur which may hamper vision.