Durga Puja is just around the corner, bringing with it days filled with fun, festivities, and long hours outdoors. While we all focus on looking our best, one important aspect of our health often goes unnoticed: our eyes.

Dr. Basupurna Majumdar, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Disha Eye Hospitals highlights how protection and proper eye hygiene can help one keep away from eye problems. With long hours outdoors, exposure to dust, pollution, and harsh sunlight, it is easy for our eyes to become irritated. A few simple precautions can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy.

Here are some practical tips to protect your eyes and avoid discomfort during this festive season:

• Choose sunglasses with UV protection- Spending hours outdoors under the sun can strain your eyes. Make sure to wear sunglasses with proper UV protection to safeguard your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, reducing the risk of eye allergies and long-term damage.
• Avoid touching your eyes- Your hands will inevitably come in contact with surfaces and other people while you are out pandal hopping. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with unclean hands, as they can introduce dirt, bacteria, or allergens, leading to infections.
• Do not splash water directly into your eyes – While it may feel refreshing, splashing water into your eyes can strip away the protective tear film that shields your eyes from irritants. Only limit washing your eyes in instances where they feel particularly dry or if dust and debris have entered them.
• Clean your face and hands after being outdoors- After being outdoors, wash your face and hands thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, or pollutants. This simple step can prevent irritation or allergic reactions.
• Avoid sharing personal items- Sharing personal items like towels, handkerchiefs, or toiletries may seem harmless, but it can transfer bacteria and lead to eye infections. Be mindful and keep your items to yourself during these festivities.
• Do not share eye makeup- Never share eye cosmetics, such as mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow, as this increases the risk of transmitting bacteria, which can cause eye infections
• Special care for contact lens users- If you use contact lenses, ensure you follow proper hygiene. Avoid wearing them for more than 16 hours, and keep in mind to take them off before sleeping, as this can lead to serious eye infections or corneal damage.
• Go light with makeup during the day- For daytime activities, go minimal with your makeup and make sure it does not flake into your eyes. It is advised to use waterproof mascara as melted mascara can be harmful to the eyes.
• Apply eyeliner carefully- Be careful while applying eyeliner to ensure that it does not touch your eyes directly
• Always remove makeup before sleeping- No matter how late it is, always remove your eye makeup before bed to avoid irritation or infection

By following these simple tips, you can keep your eyes healthy and fully enjoy the spirit of Durga Puja.

About the author- Dr. Basupurna Majumdar, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Disha Eye Hospitals