TOD Provides Important Information on Seasonal Allergy Issues

The Turkish Ophthalmology Association (TOD), representing Turkish eye doctors, has highlighted two main problems that are increasing for eyes both seasonally and during quarantine periods. TOD stated that prolonged periods spent in front of screens at home are exacerbating complaints of spring allergies that cause itching and redness in the eyes. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Orhan, Head of the Cornea and Ocular Surface Unit at the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, noted that the two most important characteristics of the current period are the increase in allergies in spring and problems arising from extended screen and computer use at home as a result of coronavirus precautions.

"It Has No Connection to Infection"

"Eye itching, redness, tearing and burning are seasonal symptoms that appear due to the effects of allergies during spring," said Prof. Orhan, "However, these symptoms are becoming even more pronounced in this period when we are forced to spend time at home, as a result of even longer periods of computer and screen use than usual." Mehmet Orhan warned that "Such itching, tearing and redness are the most basic signs of allergies and have no connection to infection."

What strains our eyes?

Spending long periods in front of screens, using mobile phones for extended hours, greatly increases the sensation of eye burning, redness, dryness and fatigue. Focusing on close objects for long periods intensifies these fatigue complaints even further. As a result, three main developments strain our eyes during this period:

• Allergies
• Eye dryness and burning
• Eye fatigue resulting from prolonged close work

What should you do?

According to the Head of the TOD Cornea and Ocular Surface Unit, the important point to note regarding allergies is not to rub your eyes. Rubbing eyes for long periods can lead to corneal thinning, blurred vision and astigmatism. Wearing sunglasses, frequent hand and face washing, and using allergy medications and drops are protective against allergies. However, especially corticosteroid drops must be used under the supervision of an eye doctor due to their side effects of glaucoma and cataracts. Eye dryness and burning problems can be caused by dry environments, reduced blinking reflex, air-conditioned spaces, low water intake, makeup and excessively prolonged contact lens use, as well as close-distance screen work. Drinking plenty of water, adjusting environmental humidity, regular blinking reflex, artificial tear drops and appropriate duration of contact lens use help improve the condition.

Take a break every 20 minutes, look into the distance

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Orhan especially recommends taking a break every 20 or 30 minutes when looking at computer or phone screens for long periods from a close distance, and focusing on a different point by looking into the distance for a while. This approach is important for relieving eye fatigue and resting the eyes.

Contact lens users, pay attention

During this period, people wearing contact lenses should wear their lenses as much as possible during daytime hours, and when they feel dryness in their eyes, they should apply artificial tear drops that do not contain protective agents over the lens. "Especially with weekly and monthly lenses, the lens must be removed in the evening and placed in clean, fresh solution. A clean lens case must be used and lens usage time must not exceed the time recommended for the lens," said Mehmet Orhan, adding that a lens with a one-month lifespan should not be used for longer periods and daily lenses should only be used once. The Head of the TOD Cornea and Ocular Surface Unit stated, "Complying with all of these is the most important rule to prevent increased allergies and eye infections."