Common Eye Problems in Winter

Winters can be harsh and especially for the eyes. The most common eye complaint in winter is dryness, which results in burning and itching sensation in eyes and at times a feeling of foreign body sensation.

This may be due to

1. Cold and dry air in atmosphere

2. Low humidity level in air inside the home or office (especially in AC rooms)

3. Increased quantity of dust in air from post monsoon dried soil due to change in direction of wind (up to monsoons, the direction of wind is from west to east while it changes in winter from north east to west south)

Spending time outdoors on windy winter days can also have a drying effect. People who wear contact lenses are the ones most likely to experience this problem, but it can affect anyone, particularly peri- and post-menopausal women who may have eye dryness because of loss of estrogen.

Over time, dryness can cause blurred vision or damage the cornea, which can also lead to blurriness. People residing in snow or more skiing, skating or shovelling snow, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun’s reflection on ice or snow can damage the eye’s surface, causing an inflammation of the cornea called keratitis.

Dry Eye syndrome is common in winter because of cold, dry outdoor air and dry indoor heat. Symptoms include pain, blurred vision, a scratchy or burning sensation, or even watery eyes as the eyes try to compensate for the dryness. Because both dry eye and allergies can cause watery eyes, differentiating the two conditions can be difficult and may require an eye examination. Dry eye can occur at any age, but is more common among older adults, especially post-menopausal women. Severe dry eye can make one more vulnerable to corneal infections, which can permanently affect the vision.

Farmers are more exposed to eye problems in winter. Early winter is the period of rearing the grains from the most of the ready crops. While in rearing processes of grains, flake particles, increased production of pollen grains from weeds can directly harm the eyes of farmers. Common problems are injury from such objects, allergic conjunctivitis from pollen grains, blockade of nasolacrimal duct, infectious conjunctivitis, etc.

The Diwali festival arriving in early winter causes air pollution due to gases from fireworks. Carbon monoxide from these constituents is most harmful to cornea causing atrophy of superficial epithelium layer of cornea. Also a small fraction bound to hemoglobin in the circulation also causes chronic toxicity to retina and also vasospasm of retinal vessels.

Further, due to the cold climate, the metabolism of the body needs increases thereby requiring increased nutrition. Malnutrition and improper food habits leads to deficiencies of vitamins like A,C & B complexes. This may affect health of eyes. Common problems are Night blindness, Bitot’s spot, conjunctival xerosis (all due to Vitamin A deficiency), sunken sclera, blurred vision, etc.

Eye Care in Winter

Keep eyes moist. This will protect it from most of the problems arising in winter. Secretion of Lacrimal glands (tears) also itself acts as antiseptic, preventing infection of eyes. To increase spontaneous production of tears (secretion of Lacrimal gland in eye) is natural shield of eyes. According to Ayurveda, regular (daily) Anjankarma has been advised as per sheetritucharya. Jiwadaya Netraprabha, a pure herbal and safe Anjan (medicine for Anjankarma) stimulates lacrimal glands to increase tear production. Also, its ingredients give nutrition to different eye structures to be strong enough to counter different eye problems in winter.

Winter and Eye Care

Winter often brings with it a variety of health concerns. Some people wonder how they are going to shed the weight they gained from stuffing themselves with irresistible holiday treats. Others worry about the manner in which they would be able to avoid their loved ones catching cold, cough or other cold related diseases. With so much on everyone’s minds, it is not surprising that many neglect to take care of their eyes during winter. Understanding how winter’s changes create new hazards for the eyes enables people to take precautions that will preserve their vision for many seasons to come.

"As the seasons change, so do the health risks that surround us," points out Craig M. Wax, D.O., an osteopathic family physician from Mullica Hill, NJ. "Many times, we don’t realize that some of the changes that accompany winter pose hazards to our eyes."

A number of people, especially skiers, snowmobilers, and other snow lovers look forward to winter each year. For them, it means swishing down the slopes or speeding through the snow. "What winter outdoor enthusiasts don’t realize is that they spend extended periods of time in intense reflected sunlight," explains Dr. Wax. "Overexposure to the winter sun’s powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays without proper eye protection can temporarily harm the eyes or even cause photokeratitis, a condition comparable to a sunburn except sensitive tissues of the eyeball are the ones receiving the burn." Although photokeratitis may heal with time, the best way to preserve your vision is to avoid excess UV ray exposure, adds Dr. Wax.

Cool winds and drier air can irritate the eyes while outdoors. "Winter’s harsh weather can make it the furthest thing from a wonderland when you’re eyes are consistently dry and irritated, especially for those who wear contact lenses," asserts Dr. Wax.

Dry eyes can be a problem indoors too. Indoor heat used during winter months tends to rid the air of moisture which can dry out and irritate eyes. "Although most cases are mild, irritation and dryness can be extremely uncomfortable causing a person to excessively rub their eyes further irritating and sometimes scratching them," says Dr. Wax. "However, there are ways to relieve discomfort."

Using eye drops, such as Jiwadaya Netraprabha which can be purchased at your local drug store, a few times a day often relieves dry and irritated eyes. Placing humidifiers throughout the house to increase indoor levels of humidity also provides relief.

"These simple adjustments will help protect your eyes all winter long," contends Dr. Wax, "but we must remember that the best way to preserve our vision is to take good care of our eyes no matter what season it is or what we are doing."

"Simple household tasks such as painting, using chemical cleaners, working on an engine or cutting wood expose our eyes to liquid chemicals that can burn or flying particles that can scratch and even puncture an eye," warns Dr. Wax. "Proper protection must be worn to prevent injury."

If an accident does occur, seeking proper treatment is crucial to preventing permanent damage. When a foreign body is embedded in the eye:

· Never rub or press on the eye. Attempt to remove it by leaning over a basin and gently flushing the eye with luke warm water. This method is most successful in removing smaller particles, such as dirt or sawdust from the eye.

· Seek medical attention if you cannot flush out the foreign body at home or the eye has been scratched.

· If medical assistance is needed, cover both eyes when waiting for help. The unaffected eye must be covered to prevent movement of the affected eye. If the object is small, use an eye patch or sterile dressing. If the object is large, cover the injured eye with a small paper cup taped in place and the other eye with a patch or sterile dressing.

When an eye has been exposed to dangerous chemicals:

· Immediately flush the eye with lukewarm water for 15 to 30 minutes.

· Call for emergency help.

· Cover both eyes with sterile dressings, and keep them covered until help arrives.

How your daily choice of food & fruits can benefit your skin

Oranges, Lemons, Pineapple - brightens and exfoliates the skin and purifies the pores. Provides a dose of pure vitamin C. Pineapple is the strongest- It is a potent source of enzymes that soften the skin and is a natural astringent.

Yogurt - softens, hydrates, and has many enzymes that exfoliate the skin; cleanser; bleach.

Coconut Milk - the lactic acid smoothes out the skin.

Rose Water - gently balances and tones.

Olive oil - known for its great effects on the skin. The best for dry skin.

Avocado - moisturizes and is a good source of vitamin E and natural oils.

Milk - contains lactic acid which nourishes without stripping the skin of essential oils; refines pores; soothes all skin types; cools sunburn.

Aloe gel - an ageless remedy for burns.

Honey - a natural, gently astringent yet extremely moisturizing; refines pores; tightens skin; retards wrinkles; anti-blemish.

Chamomile - tones all types of complexions.

Oatmeal - soothes; heals; relieves itching.

Cucumber - reduces under-eye puffiness; reduces wrinkles.

Egg - conditions; whites best for normal and oily skin; yolks for dry to normal skin

Nuts - used in scrubs to refine pores and combat wrinkles, blackheads and dryness.

Tomato - unclogs pores.

Vinegar - refines pores; cleans; softens; aids blemishes, itchy skin, and sunburn.

Witch Hazel - reduces eye puffiness; deodorant.

Eye Care during the Summers

It has always been said that Prevention is better than cure and it cannot be more true and the same applies for the eyes as well.

Avoid

1. Touching your eyes without washing hands
2. Wiping your face with a towel or handkerchief with which you have wiped your hands / body
3. Exposing eyes directly to sunlight as they tend to wash away the tear films. Eyes may also absorb atmospheric pollutants which could be dangerous
4. Keeping big nails which allows for settling of dusts
5. Wearing contact lens during eye infection
6. Sharing lens, lens solutions or containers

Always

1. Wash your hands and face immediately when you get back indoors
2. Use a cleaning agent like Jiwadaya Netraprabha (http://www.herbsatwork.com/ophthalmics) regularly to keep eyes clean, dry and healthy
3. Use eye protection glasses when exposed to wind or dust

Jiwadaya Netraprabha is one Ayurvedic product, which can be used routinely on a daily basis. Just as a daily bath keeps you free from dust and dirt accumulated from daily activities, similarly daily application of Jiwadaya Netraprabha gives a cleansing effect to the eyes, thereby removing any dirt or dust particles from the eyes accumulated during routine work. There is no such product available that could be used continuously without any side effect.

Jiwadaya Netraprabha when applied stimulates the lachrymal glands leading to natural flow of tears rapidly flowing out of the eyes. These natural tears provide essential cleansing to the eyes. Further, this action takes place within 15-20 seconds after application thereby providing immediate relief from any feeling of irritation, heaviness or dryness in the eyes. (During this time, it is advisable to keep eyes lightly closed moving the eyeball in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Do not squeeze your eyes. You may experience a little burning but this would vanish within seconds.)

We have been provided with a natural mechanism by which our eyes start watering as soon as any foreign particle gets into the eye. However, to provide a wash to tired eyes to rejuvenate them and keep them clean, bright, healthy, and smiling for year in and year out, nature has provided us with Amla, Kapoor and Madh which we have accumulated for you into Jiwadaya Netraprabha.