The vacation you've been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived. You're enjoying sunbathing on the beach and feeling the gentle breeze on your face. But did you know that sand and dust flying in the wind can lead to permanent vision loss when they get into your eyes? One of the most common eye conditions during summer vacations is sand getting into the eyes. Incorrect intervention or delay in consulting a doctor after sand gets in the eyes can cause eye diseases.
- Conjunctivitis (Eye Inflammation): Contact of sand and dust particles with the eye can result in eye inflammation (conjunctivitis). Conjunctivitis manifests with symptoms such as redness, itching, watering, burning, and stinging. Diagnosis typically requires an examination by an eye specialist. Eye drops or ointments are used in treatment to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Early diagnosis can prevent the progression of conjunctivitis.
- Corneal Abrasion: The cornea is the transparent layer at the front of the eye, and scratches can occur on its surface due to friction from sand or dust. Corneal abrasion causes symptoms such as eye pain, sensitivity, redness, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
- Permanent Vision Loss: When sand or dust particles get into the eye and are not promptly addressed, unwanted situations like foreign bodies getting trapped under the eyelid and damage to the cornea can occur. This can result in permanent vision loss.
Ways to Protect Our Eyes from the Effects of Sand
There are some precautions you can take before flying sand and dust turn your vacation into a nightmare. Using sunglasses on the beach is an effective way to protect the eyes from sand and dust. Sunglasses act as a protective barrier by reducing the amount of particles reaching the eye surface.
Using a hat or similar head covering on the beach can reduce the impact of direct sunlight on the eyes and the risk of foreign bodies hitting the eyes. Especially on windy days, using swimming goggles while swimming in shallow waters near the beach can also help protect your eye health from sand contact. Additionally, using tear drops to clean your eyes after returning from the beach can effectively eliminate unnoticed contacts.
What Should We Do If Sand Gets in Our Eyes?
If sand gets into your eye, do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes can cause the sand to scratch your cornea. After sterilizing your hands, you can rinse your eyes with tear drops. If tear drops are not immediately accessible, clean water can be used without making contact with the eye, and then the eye can be softly opened and closed a few times while wet. If sensitivity persists, a specialist in eye health and diseases should be consulted before symptoms worsen.
How to Protect Eye Health on Vacation?
Protecting your eye health during vacation means not only ensuring comfort but also safeguarding your vision capability. Sand getting in the eyes may seem like a minor issue, but incorrect interventions can invite serious eye diseases. Therefore, one should act consciously.
A sand particle that gets into the eye not only creates mechanical discomfort on the eye surface but also increases the risk of microbial infection. This risk is higher in individuals who wear lenses. The pressure exerted by a sand grain along with the lens on the eye surface can cause damage to the corneal tissue. Hence, opting for prescription sunglasses instead of lenses during vacation would be more beneficial.
The answer to how to remove sand that gets into the eye is to be patient and gentle, not rub the eye, and gently wash it with clean water or artificial tears. If complaints persist, it should not be neglected to consult the nearest healthcare facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if sand in the eye does not come out immediately?
When sand gets trapped under the eyelid, it can cause prolonged irritation. This situation can lead to scratches on the cornea, infections, and although rare, permanent vision loss.
Is sand getting into the eyes more dangerous for children?
Yes, children are more prone to rubbing their eyes, increasing the risk. Sand particles can easily scratch the cornea and pave the way for infections. Parents need to intervene quickly and correctly.
How to remove sand from the eye, what is the correct method that can be done at home?
Avoid intervening with non-sterile objects. Rinse the eye with clean water or artificial tears and then blink slowly several times to help remove the sand. If symptoms do not subside, a doctor should be consulted without fail.
Is it necessary to use glasses instead of lenses to protect against sand?
Lenses can cause significant irritation along with sand in windy beach environments, hence they are risky. To reduce the risk of sand getting into the eyes, using UV-protected sunglasses or prescription glasses is safer.