Thursday, 30 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Doctors in Dehradun have warned people to take necessary precautions when visiting swimming pools to prevent eye infections. They stated that with summer at its peak, the number of eye infection cases has increased by an average of 50 per cent compared to normal days. According to the doctors, the heat combined with unhygienic conditions and chlorine in the water, has led to various types of eye infections among people using swimming pools.
Senior eye specialist at the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) Hospital Dr Sushil Ojha stated that this year the temperature is at its peak, causing several temporary ailments in people. He said that in his eye OPD, he has been seeing 10 to 12 individuals suffering from eye infections and dryness daily. He added that the rise in temperature and the use of smartphones have been exacerbating eye ailments, leading to watery eyes, redness, itching and irritation. He also noted that there are a few cases of eye infections due to unhygienic water in swimming pools.
He further added that in order to prevent eye ailments, individuals should wear protective eyewear when outdoors. Additionally, he recommended using swimming goggles while in pools to protect against chlorine-induced eye infections.
City-based eye specialist Dr Amit Singh said that there has been an increase in cases of dryness, itching and redness in the eyes among the city residents amidst the increased temperatures. He stated that on average, the cases of eye infections due to the temperature rise have increased by 50 per cent. Singh pointed out that many people are visiting swimming pools to deal with the summer heat. However, the contaminated water has been causing eye infections among the people. To address the rise in eye infections, he recommended washing the eyes with clean water, using lubricant eye drops and wearing protective eyeglasses when outdoors. He emphasised the importance of choosing swimming pools with regularly filtered water and suggested wearing swimming goggles to prevent eye infections.
