Despite the monsoon rains finally arriving in most of India, several areas are still experiencing oppressive heat. With temperatures reaching 40 to 45 degrees, it's understandable that more people are staying inside for extended periods of time while using air conditioning. The majority of people are unaware, however, that prolonged exposure to air conditioning might silently damage our eyes, even if it helps us remain cool.

Dr. Jay Goyal, a senior eye surgeon and the director of the Surya Eye Institute, discussed the potential damage to your eyes from extended AC usage and provided useful advice on maintaining good eye health.

1. Dry eyes

People who have dry eye issues may have their symptoms exacerbated by sitting in the air conditioning for extended periods of time. This is due to the fact that air conditioning systems can spread dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens in a confined space, causing allergies and rashes around the eyes.

Individuals with allergies or who wear contact lenses may experience an increase in the symptoms of dry eye disease. Chronic dryness can harm the surface of the cornea and lead to issues that necessitate prompt medical attention.

2. Lowers the amount of moisture in the eyes naturally.

By lowering heat and humidity, air conditioners alleviate hot temperatures and excessive sweating. Conversely, excessive use can lead to dehydration of the skin, hair, nose, throat, and, in particular, the eyes. This dryness affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, making them less able to fight against germs and viruses.

Eye redness, irritation, and other vision issues can result from prolonged exposure to air-conditioned settings. You may feel redness, burning, or mild pain after several hours in an air-conditioned environment.

3. Blurry eyesight

Prolonged exposure to air conditioning can also result in impaired vision. The AC dries out the eye's lubrication, which impairs clear vision and disrupts the smooth eye surface.

4. Increases the risk of eye infections

Dry eyes have a less protective tear layer, which might raise the risk of infection. Additional typical health issues connected to prolonged air conditioner usage include headaches, exhaustion, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma.

Air conditioning systems that are not well maintained can cause health problems for those who use air cooling for long periods of time. The patient reported having trouble breathing and/or sneezing for several minutes after arriving at the home, with the only relief coming after leaving.

This demonstrates that spending time indoors in air conditioning with other airborne allergens can be harmful to one's respiratory health. For this reason, improving well-being requires keeping both the AC system and the surrounding area in good condition.

5. Pay attention to any warning signs.

Generally speaking, lubricating eye drops can alleviate minor eye irritation. However, prolonged discomfort, blurry vision, redness, pain, or light sensitivity are all signs that you should see an eye care professional as soon as possible. Using drugs without a prescription might mask underlying issues. After the effects wear off, the issue might reappear and possibly make the underlying eye ailment worse.

How to keep your eyes safe while using air conditioning

To prevent or manage these symptoms, Dr. Goyal recommends the following straightforward practices:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, stare 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Use safety glasses when it's windy or there's pollution in the air.

If you spend a lot of time in an air-conditioned room, use a humidifier to keep the humidity level inside your home.

When using screens, pay more attention to your blinking, maintain a nutritious diet, and drink a lot of water.

Use artificial tears without preservatives if you are unable to reduce your exposure to screens or air conditioning.

To diagnose dry eye illnesses and avoid long-term damage, get annual eye checkups.

Read Also: Cardiologist: Surprising Early Heart Attack Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

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