Air pollution & UV rays affect eye health: Study

Nodding over the study, eye specialist at Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS discussed the affects of the increasing air pollution in the National capital and the NCR region, stating that the particulate matter triggered allergies, especially in the cases of small children and elderly.

''The air pollution elevates the chances of allergies, acute eye infections, itching and other problems especially acute changes in the eyes that are sensitive and allergic,'' a senior eye specialist said. Moreover, under the study, the prevalence of cataract was 31.5 per cent (1131 people), dry eye 22.7 per cent (817 people), pterygium (triangular tissue growth on the cornea of the eye) among Gurugram participants aged nearly 40 years," study reads. A dose-response relationship was also observed with the risk of cataract increasing with increasing exposure.

The study further reads that dry eye was commonest in Delhi, doctors advised that people should wash their eyes with filtered water several times and use eye drops to keep them hydrated. Initially the study was conducted in the rural areas in the earlier mentioned regions (first phase) and accordingly a report has been submitted with the Indian Council of Medical Research.(ICMR).

The Centre is using one of the most advanced 3D technology for retina surgeries, the first ever in South East Asia for the past couple of months now and has treated more than 200 patients with 99 per cent success rates, according to the doctors. The Centre is also offering surgery for spectacles removal and correcting vision with minimum procedure called smile surgery at a price way lesser than the private institutions.