HAVE you ever noticed that the moment someone tells you not to touch your eyes they suddenly start to itch? And only a touch can satisfy?
I remember at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when we were told not to touch our face, eyes or the front of the mask to avoid contamination. Suddenly I found myself touching my face and noticing other people doing it too. We had to remind each other not to do it.
Touching your eyes was a big no-no then and a bigger no now. Our hands are exposed to a lot of dirt, dust and germs, all of which can be easily transferred to the eyes. This is especially important to remember when you have loved ones in your care who don't understand the consequences of dirty hands.
Wash your hands and theirs frequently. The first rule to that would be to keep your hands clean whenever you have to handle your eyes — whether it's to put on or take off your contact lenses or your eye makeup.
Even when you have to remove eye crusts (medically known as rheum) at the corners of the eyes, do it with clean hands. For the loved ones in your care, whether it's a child or an elderly person, gently remove it with a clean, damp washcloth, tissue paper or wet wipes.
Remove any eye makeup and cleanse your face before you sleep each night no — matter how tired you are. This removes dirt and prevents bacterial build-up that can cause you to suffer from pink eyes or conjunctivitis. Your eyes and complexion will thank you for it.
Choose the right eye makeup. Expensive products do not mean that you won't react to them. Eye shadows, mascara, eyeliners and eyelash enhancer may cause allergies like swelling and itchiness. The best way to find out is to try out whatever you've bought on a day when you won't be going out, just in case your eyes swell up or if you need medical attention.
PROTECTING YOUR EYES
Next, invest in a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. It's not just a fashion statement. It protects you from the glare that stresses your eyes. It's also a good idea to buy a pair of safety glasses too. This can be used when you do gardening, or DIY projects at home.
It doesn't just prevent particles, dust and bacteria from flying into your eyes but also injuries. I find it especially useful to wear safety glasses when I'm deep-frying fish or pounding the mortar and pestle to make a good sambal belacan.
Should something splash into your eyes, quickly wash under running water and then use eye wash to soothe your eyes. You can also do this if dirt or dust gets into your eyes. Always keep a few bottles of eye drops around the house.
Whatever you do, do not rub your eyes!
REST AND DIET
If your work entails you to be in front of your computer screen for long hours, use some artificial tears or eye drops to help you when your eyes start to feel dry or scratchy. Staring at the computer for too long causes eyestrain, dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pains.
Remember the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes on your computer, look away at objects that are 20 feet away from you, blink 20 times to prevent eye dryness. Then get out of your chair and take 20 steps to prevent yourself from being sedentary. It promotes proper posture, blood circulation and your vision.
It's a good idea to wear computer glasses. It protects you from the blue light emitted by the computer that's harmful to your eyes. It may not be prescription glasses per se, but it certainly cuts off the light exposure to your eyes. Discuss with your optician.
Get enough rest and sleep. Like the rest of your body, you need sufficient shut-eye each day to stay refreshed and healthy. Also, stay hydrated. Drink enough fluids for your entire body's well-being, including your eyes. It helps prevent your eyes from getting dry and irritated.
Keep a well-balanced diet. Ensure your food has all the vitamins essential for maintaining your eye health too. Leafy green vegetables, oily fish, eggs, nuts, beans and fruits are recommended.
Don't smoke. If you do, try to stop. Smoking makes you more susceptible to cataract and macular degeneration. If you haven't had your eyes checked, do it to ensure you're in good health. It's all part and parcel of preventive care. Don't wait until you have issues with your eyes. Early detection helps you catch any problems earlier and avoids serious complications.
[The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.]
Putri Juneita Johari volunteers for the Special Community Society of Ampang. She can be reached at juneitajohari@yahoo.com.