In life everything enters through the eyes, the first impression is always visual, you want to try food if it arrives at the table on a well-presented and appetizing plate. We have previously seen the clothes we buy in a shop window, in a magazine or in an online application. Children play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek, covering their eyes.
The eye is the main organ of the visual system and the basis of the sense of sight. It collects light from outside and transforms it into nervous impulses that reach the brain through the optic nerve to interpret it and transform it into images. However, if they are not kept healthy, the eyes can become ill and stop performing their main function: seeing.
The eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body and one that, perhaps, we take the least care of. Eye health can be affected at any time of the year, but some conditions, such as dry eyes, are more common in the hottest months due to higher temperatures and greater exposure to the sun. Therefore, it is important to know how heat affects the eyes.
On a physical level, The heat produces dizziness, headache or loss of consciousness in our body, In the eyes, the most obvious consequence is dryness. The lack of lubrication of the eyes as a result of heat is mainly caused by the rapid evaporation of tears.
From the Ophthalmology Service of the Sacred Heart University Hospital of BarcelonaDr. Gabriel Londoño explains: “As a consequence of climate change and global warming, the ozone layer is being lost and UV rays are increasing, which affects eye health, favoring and accelerating the appearance of cataracts. Furthermore, as a result of the high temperatures and extreme heat waves that help the evaporation of tears, the eye dries out and compromises its proper functioning.”
The adverse effects of heat on the eyes are not only produced by high temperatures, the sudden changes in cold and heat caused by air conditioners and fans when we enter or leave a store, establishment or in our own home from a refrigerated room. to another without being, the consequences on vision increase.
Also the time we spend in front of a computer, looking at our cell phone or playing video games damages our eyes. The light from screens makes us focus more on them, which causes us to blink less than necessary to keep our eyes moist.
That is why it is very important to protect the eyes with good glasses with a UV filter not only when we are exposed to the sun, but also in the shade we must prevent the sun’s UV rays from damaging the ocular surface, the conjunctiva and the cornea, as well as the retina, especially the macula.
If the glasses are large, much better, as they will protect the eye area whose skin is thinner and more fragile than the rest of the face.
dry eyes syndrome
In patients with dry eye syndrome, “the tear meniscus is scarce, the breakup time of the tear film is shorter than usual, and high temperatures leave the corneal and conjunctival epithelium quickly exposed,” points out Dr. Londoño.
To avoid the evaporation of tears from the eyes due to the heat, in addition to wearing glasses when we are outdoors and also preventing the entry of allergens into the eye, it is advisable to carry out a series of recommendations that will help maintain good vision. and healthy eyes.
Artificial tears should be used to maintain adequate ocular hydration, do not abuse the use of contact lenses and protect the eye with appropriate drops that prevent dehydration, in addition to washing your hands before and after putting on and removing contact lenses.
Also use protective glasses when doing certain sports to protect your eyes. And, if we spend a lot of time in front of the computer screen, we must not forget to blink and to remember it, every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds about 6 meters (20 feet), this is what is known as the rule of 20 -20-20.
Given these heat waves that we are having, we must stay hydrated, drink water and liquids, avoid alcoholic and exciting drinks such as coffee, tea or cola drinks.
Include fresh fruit and vegetables in your daily diet. Keep the house cool and try to reduce the entry of outside heat, and avoid going outside during the hottest hours.
Likewise, look for shade outside, wear light, light-colored clothing and don’t forget sunglasses. Increase the use and frequency of artificial tears to keep eyes healthy and free of eye diseases.
Excess sun and exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause eye injuries such as photokeratitis, ocular melanoma, tumors on the eyelids, nevus or pterygium, an abnormal growth of conjunctiva tissue on the cornea, known as palm or eye nail.
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