The arrival of the monsoon season not only brings with it pleasant weather but also brings with it diseases including eye allergies which are very common during this wet season.
We all love hot and delicious pakodas with a cup of tea, long drives and the earthy fragrance of petrichor. But this rainy weather is also associated with a number of water- and food-borne diseases such as malaria, jaundice, dengue, flu and diarrhoea. Not only that, but the rainy season also comes with a number of eye infections. Doctors report a rise in eye infections during this humid weather. It is essential to visit an ophthalmologist in case of eye-related problems such as redness, burning sensation, swelling, discharge etc.
Listed below are 5 eye infections that are most common during monsoon:
5 Eye Infections to Watch Out For During Monsoon
- Viral conjunctivitis (eye flu) is an infection that causes inflammation of the thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the white part of the eyeball. Some of the symptoms include itching, sensitivity to light, watery discharge, and redness of the eyelids. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can easily be passed from an infected person to others if precautions are not taken.
- Dry eyes: Dry eyes can occur when you cannot produce enough liquid tears, also called aqueous fluid. The medical term for this condition is keratoconjunctivitis. Bad blinking habits when reading or looking at a computer screen for long periods of time can cause this problem.
- Corneal ulcer: A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. Infection is the main cause. Symptoms include red, watery, bloodshot eyes, severe eye pain, and pus or other discharge from the eye. A corneal ulcer can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Stye: This is a bacterial infection that affects one or more of the small glands found near the base of the eyelashes. It appears as a lump on the eyelid. According to doctors, it is extremely common during the rainy season.
- Trachoma: Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is responsible for blindness in nearly 1.9 million people worldwide. It can be caused by direct contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person, either from towels or flies.
How to protect your eyes during monsoon?
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.
- Don’t touch your eyes with dirty hands
- Don’t rub your eyes too often
- Don’t share your contact lenses
- Wear eye protection while swimming or when exposed to wind.
- Avoid using the pool during the rainy season.
