Air pollution main cause of eye infection: Docs

Air pollution in cities is emerging as the major reason behind the rise in eye allergies and conjunctivitis in people of all ages.

According to doctors, the problem was serious because if conjunctivitis and allergies are not treated in time they can lead to cornea problems affecting vision. “Almost all age groups are being affected by air pollution. Most patients are children, middle-aged people and senior citizens. Air pollution affects them badly and results in eye irritation and sometimes in redness, and watery eyes,” said Kamal B  Kapur, an ophthalmologist at city-based Sharp Sight Centre.

He said the main reasons for eye allergy were substances like pollen or mold spores or chemical substances in the air.

Dr Samir Sud said: “One should not rub eyes even if fine particulates enter, rather wash them with water. Whenever there is direct contact with the allergen, an allergic reaction happens in the eye. Mostly this happens when there is dryness in the air.” 

According to a study, over 30,000 people in Delhi were detected with cornea infection last year caused by the deteriorating air quality and increasing particulates.