Although people love the breezy atmosphere and scent of rain-soaked planet after months of heat, the monsoon season can also bring about eye allergies and infections in their children, which is anything but lovely. Increased humidity, stagnant water, and bacteria create an ideal scenario for many bugs to enter our children's delicate eyes. Parent's have to be on high alert this season for the rest of the kids' bodies stay healthy and infection-free.
Why Monsoons Affect Kids' Eyes Kids enjoy jumping and splashing in puddles, becoming completely drenched in the rain, moving around in the dust, and having other outdoor adventures. However, what is invigorating for our children can also be the same water that carries dust particles, allergens, or microorganisms, which is unfortunate. Weather conditions that are rainy and humid, with rainwater bearing contaminants, and accompanied by flip-flops in temperature can set a course for bacteria and viruses to develop more easily.
Potential eye conditions to be aware of during monsoons:
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Alarming number of cases that can occur due to the infectious nature of this disease. Redness of the eye, itching or discomfort, and discharge are all symptoms of pink eye.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis: This can occur in susceptible patients when exposure to allergens increases, whether that is pollen or dust, or mold... Stye: This happens when individuals develop a painful bump on the eyelid,, due to a bacterial infection of the oil glands in the eyes.
- Dry Eyes: This is often caused by humidity or indoor housing situations are optimum conditions for the stability of tear film quality.
- Corneal Ulcer: This is a severe bacterial infection, this condition may occur after the patient rubs eyes that have not been properly scrubbed with dirty hands. Early Warning Signs that Parents Must
Look For Children do not always tell you if they are having discomfort, making it vital the parents to scan the eye for any early curtains for concern. Redness or swelling in or around the eyes
- Frequent rubbing or blinking
- Discharge in the form of watery eyes or sticky eyelids after waking up from sleep
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurred vision or the sensation of “something in the eye”
If any of these signs persist for more than a day or are getting worse quickly, consult an eye doctor immediately.
How to Protect Kids’ Eyes During the Monsoon
Preventive care is the best defense against eye infection. Parents can promote some simple, yet important hygiene habits through their child's daily routine:
1. Maintain Proper Eye Hygiene
- Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently, especially after outdoor playtime.
- Teach your child not to touch or rub their eyes with dirty hands.
- Have your child pat their eyes dry with a clean/soft towel after a bath or washing their face.
2. Use Clean Water Only
- Rainwater may look pure, but usually has harmful pollutants and microbes.
- Do not allow your child to wash their face or eyes with rainwater.
- Always use clear, filtered water for dyeing washing and washing their face.
3. Avoid Sharing Personal Items
- Do not share towels, pillows, or eye drops between siblings, family members, or classmates.
- Keep your child's towels or napkins labeled with their name, so they do not get used by someone else without your knowledge.
4. Keep the Eyes Simultaneously Dry and Clean
After playtime outside, taking a clean dry rag to wipe the child's face and eyes is a great idea. Webbed areas generally promote bacterial reproduction, so keeping the eyes dry is useful to prevent disease.
5.Control Indoor Humidity
- If you can, use an air purifier or dehumidifier.
- Make sure there is sufficient circulation of air in bedrooms and study areas to avoid mold
6. Minimize Exposure to Allergens
- Clean curtains, bedding, and soft toys regularly, as these tend to collect dust.
- If it’s raining heavily outside, its best to keep the windows closed to restrict allergens entering your home.
- If your child has seasonal allergies, check with your doctor about using eye drop preventative measures.
7. Keep Eyes Protected from Polluted Water.
Children should stay out of pools and ponds, during the monsoon months, as the water quality can decline. In fact swimming through dirty water can result in serious infections of the eyes as eyes can easily be irritated in such environments.
When to See an Eye Doctor
Infections can happen, even if clean and a good hygiene is in place, and it’s important to get medical or eye doctor help promptly.
Bring your child to the eye doctor (or an ophthalmologist) if you notice:
- Continuous redness or discharge
- Pain or swelling around the eyes
- Inability to open the eyes due to crusting
- Sudden drop in vision
- Fever and discomfort in the eye at the same time
- Getting treatment soon leads to a quicker recovery and reduces chances of complications.
- Comfort Home Remedies (Use Awareness)
It’s important to follow the doctor first and foremost, however some less serious symptoms can be settle with home remedies until you can reach the doctor.
- Use a cool compress to relieve itching and swelling.
- Use artificial tears (prescription from the ophthalmologist only).
- Keep the eyes clean by using sterile cotton dipping or boiled-cooled water to wipe away discharge gently.
- No over-the-counter eye drops for use in eye discomfort or irritation, as it may worsen the symptoms or mask an underlying infection if there is one.
- Nutritional Tips for Stronger Eye Immunity
- Good nutritional support will help with your child eye health in the during the monsoon.
Include the following foods in their daily diet (or sooner in their diet).
- Vitamin A foods: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes
- Vitamin C foods: citrus fruits, guava, amla
- Vitamin E foods: nuts and seeds to support cell health.
- Omega 3 foods: fish and eggs to support healthy eyes, especially the retina.
Eliminating foods that support the immune system and hydration (water and sleep-okay) are also supportive factor for a health eye!
Parents Quick Preventive Checklist
Once the monsoon starts, refer to this guide for a quick checklist:
- Replace old towelling and pillow cases
- Schedule a pre-monsoon eye check-up for your child
- Purchase some lubricating and/or any other anti-allergic eye drops your child has been prescribed.
- Have a phone number for an eye hospital's or specialist readily available.
Teach your child to come to you if they have discomfort in their eye immediately once they realize something is not right, no matter how small.
The Eye Foundation Can Help Your Child’s Eyes
At The Eye Foundation, we understand how delicate and precious your child’s vision is. Our pediatric ophthalmologists provide caring eye care for kids of all ages. From finding solutions to eye allergies and infections, especially the monsoon season availability to both eye care and corrected vision for kids is a must.
Don't wait for the symptoms to worsen! Book an appointment with our specialists and have a full examination of your child's eye(s) and have their eye issue(s) taken care of.
Book Appointment Now at The Eye Foundation.
