Chennai: Summer is here and most of us try to beat the heat by moving to cooler places with air conditioners and coolers and spending, on an average, around 14 to 16 hours a day in an air-conditioned room. A lesser known fact is that these artificial air and temperature change caused by the AC's harm our health as well, according to Dr. S. Preethi, Head Clinical Services, Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital.
"From the largest organ of the body, the skin, to the immune system, to the most delicate organ the eyes, could be affected by long term use of Air conditioners. Common complaints of people working in AC are that they feel dryness, irritation, grittiness, stickiness, itching, burning and watering from the eyes. They are developing a problem which is termed as the "Dry eye", 'Dry Eye Syndrome' medically,"says Dr Preethi.
Adequate quality and quantity of tears in the eyes is essential for smooth feeling and functioning of the eyes. The dry eye syndrome is the change in quality or quantity of the three layers of the tear film - Oily (exterior), water/aqueous layer (middle) and protein (inner). In lesser humidity of AC rooms, the air becomes extremely dry and causes evaporation from the watery layer of tear film. Without lubrication, the eyes are more vulnerable to inflammation and infection leading to worse situation, the doctor explains.
Symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye syndrome are burning, dryness, grittiness, Itchiness, aching sensations, heaviness, watering from the eyes and blurred vision. The reading speed can slow down for dry eye suffers and the rate decreases as the severity increases.
Tips to prevent dry eyes: Setting of AC temperature around 23 degree C and above is recommended. Avoid sitting with your face facing air conditioners thereby preventing eyes being directly exposed to air from air-conditioners. Place a small open bowl of fresh water in corner of room you sit with air conditioner to maintain humidity of air the room, thereby preventing dry skin and dry eyes. Drink enough liquids over a day.
Frequent conscious blinking when using computer or mobile phones which will help in appropriate distribution of tear film. Have a traditional 7 - 8 hours of sleep which will give adequate rest to eyes. Consider wearing sun glasses or protective eye wears. "Prevention is always better than cure," the doctor concludes.
