POINTS TO PONDER

In case of eye- accidents….

• Cleanliness, prompt rest (cover with cold cloth) and immediate aid.
• Wash the eyes with clean water and dry it with clean towel or cloth.
• Sprinkle cold water on eye to remove dust.

Caring for Eyes

• Eat a balanced diet that is rich in Vitamin A, C and E
• Detect and correct refractive error at an early stage
• Bright lights and dull illumination are bad for eyes
• Do not read in a moving vehicle
• Never look directly at a solar eclipse
• Use protective eyewear whenever required
• Do not enter public swimming pools during an epidemic of red eye (conjunctivitis)
• Avoid shaking hands with a person suffering from conjunctivitis and do not use/share any article used by him/her
• Never wash eyes with ordinary tap water
• Keep diabetes, blood pressures under control
• Do not allow cataract to mature in your eye
• If you are suffering from glaucoma, follow the drug schedule strictly
• Visit your ophthalmologist regularly. There are many eye diseases, which produce symptoms at an advanced stage only. Your eye doctor will be able to detect them at an early stage and save your sight before damage has been done.

• The eyes would get the very best care one can give. Clear and healthy eyes enhance the personal beauty and charm.
• Keep the eyes and skin around the eyes clean by washing the face with soap and clean water. Washing at bed time is very good as it removes the dust and dirt collected throughout the day.
• Never use anybody’s else’s towel, handkerchief, Sari, Dhoti or any other cloth to wipe the eyes. This may cause serious infection in the eye. Trachoma commonly spreads this way.
• Use only clean and individual towels to wipe face/ eyes.
• Never touch the eyes with anything unclean or rough finger, handkerchief or pencil.
• Avoid self-medication. Do not use eye remedies sold by quacks or roadside medicines sellers. Consult the doctor soon, if there is any eye trouble. Get the eyes checked up periodically.
• Do not expose the eyes to dust or very bright light.
• Do not use ‘Kajal’, ‘Surma’ or any other material in the eyes unless prescribed by a doctor. If one must, use separate applicator for each person.

WHEN SOMETHING FALLS IN THE EYE

When anything falls in the eye, e.g. small particles of charcoal, wood, sand, etc., the favourite spot for it to settle down is under the upper lid. In such a situation please observe the following:

• Do not rub the eye.
• Lift the upper eyelid and pull it down over the lower eyelid and move the eye ball. This will help in removing the foreign body form the eye.
• Let the tears wash it away. Most of the time these will do the cleaning.
• Wash out the particles immediately with plenty of water.
• Ask some other person to take out the offending particles with the help of corner of a clean wet cloth.
• But if it does not come out easily, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.