In the month of June-July, the monsoon begins to bring relief from the heat but comes with several diseases and viral in which one of which is Eye Flu or Conjunctivitis. This is a highly spreading disease that causes discomfort and irritation in the eye. Some common symptoms that have been seen during eye flu are pain, redness of the eye, blurry vision, fluid discharge, sensitivity to light, and swelling of eyelids.     

Before discussing tips to prevent eye flu, there is a myth people used to have that they will get affected by looking in the eye of an infected person, which is not true. Another myth people have is that one gets eye flu by rubbing the eyes. However, this is not true.

The main cause of eye flu is that it is spread by direct contact with an infected person, such as your handshake and you rubbing your eyes leads to eye flu. Make sure we follow good hygiene practices and avoid direct contact with contaminated persons. Refrain from sharing your stuff to prevent transmission. If somebody is infected, make sure you maintain a distance. Cover the eye with glasses so that pollen and dirt did not irritate.

Make sure not to make direct contact with an infected person because viruses/bacteria are present on the hands. If hands are not sterilised it can quickly transfer from one contaminated person to another.

Here are some precautions you can take to protect yourself from eye flu:

1) Make sure to wash hands frequently and whenever hand-to-hand contact make sure to use sanitizer.

2) Do not touch your eyes every time.

3) Make sure not to share your towels, or handkerchiefs with anyone.

4) Do not use any eye makeup while having an eye allergy.

5) Drink plenty of water

6) Follow the 20-20-20 rule-every 20 minutes take a 20-second break and focus your eye on something that is placed 20 feet away so that you can relax your eyes and calm down.

7) Use sunglasses when you are out of the house to prevent your eyes from exposure to sunlight.

8) Use eye drops or lubricants.

9) Do not use colored eyes if they irritate you.

10) Practice Good Hygiene

Eye flu is referred to as pink eye, tips to recover from eye flu or to prevent make sure to add this to your lifestyle with precautions also:

• Honey:

Honey has anti-bacterial properties, which help to prevent eye infections. It helps to reduce inflammation and irritation in your eye. It kills harmful bacteria that cause eye infections. Take 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of water and mix it, wash your eyes with this water. Pain and irritation in the eyes can be reduced.

• Saltwater

Saltwater which has a saline compound is similar to teardrops which helps to clean the eyes properly and remove dirt. It is remedied for eye infections. It has antimicrobial properties. Boil half a liter of water and cool it properly and mix 1tsp salt in it. Take a cotton swab and dip it in salt water and clean the eyes until the irritation goes off to clean eyes normally make sure to keep it for 1 minute not more than that.

• Neem Soak

Neem has antimicrobial property which helps to remove microbes as well as detox it from toxins. Wash the neem leaves in water and wash your eyes with that water for freshness and healing. As in monsoons due to wind dust particles or irritation are easily caused so to prevent that neem gel can also be applied.

• Turmeric

Turmeric has several benefits such as antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. It is surprising to know that turmeric has also helped to prevent eye infections. It acts as magic for eyes. Take a pinch of turmeric powder in lukewarm water and mix it. Soak a cotton pad in water and wipe your eyes with it. It will help to clean dirt from the eyes and help in preventing infection.

• Green Tea Bags

Green tea is enriched with antioxidants and helps to relax the eyes and helps to reduce puffiness and pain. For eye flu, dip a green tea bag in lukewarm water and place it on your eyes or freeze the tea bag and keep it on your eyes.

• Potato

Potato has a cooling effect that helps to prevent eye irritation. It helps to prevent eye swelling and pain of eyes. Cut the potatoes into slices and keep the slices over the eyes for 10-15 min and wash the eyes or freeze the slices and keep it over the eyes.

• Holy Basil

Tulsi or Basil is known for its cooling, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial property, helps to remove eye infections. It helps to get relief from burning and pain sensations in the eyes. Take 3-4 basil leaves soak in water overnight. Wash your eyes with this water. Use twice a week in the monsoon.

• Rose water

Rose water has anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that help to fight infection-causing bacteria. Rose helps to cool the eyes and clean the eyes. Put two drops of rose water daily in each eye.

Conclusion:

Eye flu is a common disease nowadays so make sure to follow good hygiene practices. Disinfect your eyes regularly and after touching any contaminated place make sure to wash your hands. Don’t share your eye care products such as glasses, eye drops, and lenses it leads to higher chances of conjunctivitis. Seek medical advice from the best eye specialist doctors, if you have any eye infections. Make sure to use ointments, eye drops at the appropriate amount. A nutritional diet also leads to preventing you from viral.