The monsoon brings relief from the scorching summer heat, but it also brings about a variety of challenges, especially for someone with glaucoma. Increased humidity, changing temperatures, and the potential for infections necessitate more diligence for those living with glaucoma during monsoon season. Understanding the effects of rainy weather on eye health and planning for it will help you maintain stable vision, and ultimately, avoid complications.
This all-encompassing guide will break down everything you need to know in regards to glaucoma monsoon precautions, including what to avoid, symptom management, and when to seek professional help. Let's make this monsoon not only fun to look out at, but also to keep your eyes safe.
Understanding Glaucoma and the Importance of Monsoon
Glaucoma is a collection of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, typically from abnormal pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP). Glaucoma often does not happen overnight and develops slowly. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause vision loss and even blindness. Glaucoma requires work to be treated and for ongoing care to continue, using individualized options such as medication regimens, laser therapy, and/or surgical approaches.
Why Does Monsoon Affect Glaucoma Risks
While the actual cause of glaucoma is not tied to weather conditions, rainy seasons can be troublesome, either by worsening symptoms of the patient or creating conditions that may indirectly affect eye health, etc. We mention some of the reasons above:
- Infections can spread in the air because of the high levels of humidity.
- Allergic reactions to dust particles increase during rainfall or windstorms.
- Water-borne pollution can become irritating to the eyes.
- Increased humidity can cause medication storage problems, making eye drops ineffective.
- Colds and sinus infections occurring during monsoon season can impact eye pressure.
So, what now?Let's take a look at the important glaucoma precautions, if you live in a place that gets lots of rain and you have glaucoma, well you need to follow this advice.
Top Glaucoma Monsoon Precautions
1. Avoid Tap Water & Rainwater in Eyes, it might seem innocuous, any water you come in contact with during monsoon, whether rainwater or contaminated tap water, have bacteria and contaminants that irritate the eyes or cause an infections. Just do not splash water in your eyes or rinse eyes with rainwater. Always use clean filtered water or RO water for any eye hygiene.
2. Make Sure Eye Drops are Stored Properly - Glaucoma medications and especially eye drops, require proper storage to remain effective.
- Keep eye drops stable in cool, dry places.
- Make sure the bottle cap is closed tightly.
- Avoid humidity and sunlight exposure.
- Check expiration dates.
- Never refrigerate unless your doctor requests it.
Humidity can cause active ingredient to degrade, and decrease the effectiveness when used for ocular hypertension. This means proper storage is very important in your glaucoma monsoon precautions.
3. Protecting Your Eyes from Infection - Conjunctivitis (pink eye), and other eye infections peak during the rainy season, as a person with glaucoma, an untreated eye infection could complicate glaucoma treatment or eye pressure.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Do not use the same towel, and do not share towels.
- Avoid crowded or closed spaces, avoid touching railings and doors etc. especially when going to the washroom.
Do not use over the counter eye drops for general redness or irritation without speaking with your ophthalmologist.
4.Maintain Clean Eyewear
If you wear glasses or protective lenses, please ensure to clean them often. Fogged up, smudged or a build-up of bacteria can impair clarity of vision and put you more at risk of infection.
5. Don't Self Medicate or Use Tempting Home Remedies
Redness or itching may sometime provoke the urge to attempt “homemade” or “natural” remedies such as rose water, tap water or herbal washes, but please refrain from doing so completely. They can exacerbate infection, or cause irritation to your eyes, particularly if you have glaucoma and are already compromising your optic nerve.
6. Regular Check-Ups if Possible
Even if your symptoms have not changed, the seasons are likely going to impact changes on your eye pressure. Regular check-ups will matter during monsoon if you have glaucoma.
- Get your intraocular pressure monitored.
- Follow your doctor’s suggestions.
- Maintain appointments, although your symptoms feel “normal”
7. Sleep well and manage stress.
The stress factor can increase intraocular pressure for some people. Monsoon with its threats of gloomy moods, fatigue and change can disrupt your regular schedule.
- Practice deep breathing exercises.
- Prioritize sleep hygiene.
- Eat a balanced diet, especially foods with anti-oxidants.
- Avoid smoking and use no more than 1 cup of coffee.
- Staying physically and mentally fit is as important as are the medications.
8. Don't Ignore Symptoms
If you have any unusual symptoms such as:
- Sudden blurred vision
- Pain, redness
- Excessive tearing
- Headache or nausea
- Discharge from the eye
Seek medical assistance right away. Symptoms can quickly worsen with weather changes and other triggers. However, careful inspection of symptoms can avert serious complications to your health.
What if someone has had surgery?
If you have had surgical intervention for glaucoma (trabeculectomy, laser procedures, etc.), it is even more important to be vigilant during the monsoon season.
- Keep the eye area dry.
- Avoid dust and polluted air especially outside the home.
- Do not engage in strenuous, heavy work.
- Use your surgeon prescribed drops and be strict regarding the timing.
- Do not skip your post-operative checks, even if the weather is poor. Just ask if telehealth follow-up is possible.
- Clams and Diet with Monsoon & Glaucoma in the Background
- You certainly want to eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.
- The diet should also include omega-3 fats (fish, flaxseeds and walnuts.).
- Stay hydrated, though take caution not to drink excessive fluid until you know how your body will handle the increase.
- Unknown to some, reducing salt in the diet is important, as well as caffeine, both of which can raise eye pressure.
Often glaucoma is called the "silent thief of sight." Nevertheless, through observing these glaucoma monsoon precautions, you should be able to protect your vision and lead a normal life even enduring the rainy season. Your journey is precious and if you do follow a few guidelines you will go the distance.
Please don't gamble when it comes to your vision during this monsoon; reach out to an expert regardless of your current situation when it comes to glaucoma, or if you think you are developing glaucoma look to the professionals to assist you!
The Eye Foundation provides advanced testing, cutting edge modern equipment, advisers, ophthalmologists, and surgeries for glaucoma.
Book your appointment now before the weather changes your mind.
