Durga Puja is knocking at the doors. The times for endless pandal hopping, long fun hours, unlimited food, and adda are here. We all have made a few changes in our daily routine to be presentable during the festival days. The checklist is almost ready. But most of the people neglect their health. The eyes are one of the most important body parts that need extra care during festivals. But the majority of the people turn a blind eye to it.  Protection and proper eye hygiene can help one keep away from eye problems. Especially if one is out in the heat and pollution for long hours, a few precautions for the eye are a must.

Thus, it is important to follow these simple steps to safeguard your eye’s health during this season.

·         Be careful while choosing your sunglasses since you may be out in the sun for long hours standing in queue to catch a glimpse of your favorite idol. Use ultraviolet protective sunglasses only.  This will prevent eye allergies and long-term eye diseases.

·         Do not rub your eyes with unclean hands, especially if you are outdoors and in public places and shaking hands with others, or if you are sweaty. You could introduce infections or allergies to your eyes.

·         Always wash your hands and face once you reach home to prevent dust and grime from entering your eyes and causing eye allergies.

·         Do not share common handkerchiefs, towels, toiletries, etc.

·         Do not share common eye cosmetics.

·         Extra care is a must for those who are wearing contact lenses. Never go to sleep with lenses. Lenses should not be worn for more than 16 hours. It affects the cornea.

·         Eye makeup should be light during the day. Eye shadows, if used, should not spill over into the eyes.

·         Use waterproof mascara. Melted mascara can be harmful to the eyes.

·         Be careful while using eyeliner. It should not get in contact with the eyes directly.

·         Be careful while removing eye makeup, if somehow makeup goes inside the eyes, then rinse fast with cold water and don’t rub.

·         Always remove makeup before retiring to bed, whatever late it may be.

If you feel anything is going into your eyes, making your eyes irritable after all these precautions, just clean your eyes repeatedly with plain tap water and then consult an ophthalmologist for further management. So, take care of your eyes and enjoy the Durga Puja.

About the author- Dr. Ananya Ganguly, Ophthalmologist, Disha Eye Hospitals