TRAVEL HEALTH
EYE IRRITATION & EYE INFECTION

Eye strain/Tired eyes/Dry eyes

These are common problems on holiday and can cause a variety of different symptoms such as itching, burning, discomfort, heavy eyelids or short episodes of blurred vision. They can also cause headaches above the eyes. They are not painful and the whites of the eye do not go red, except in very severe cases.

These symptoms are caused by a drying of the skin covering the eyeball (conjuctiva). Usually the skin covering is kept clean and moist by blinking. Anything that over exposes the eye, reduces blinking or affects the tear gland secretions will cause sore eyes.

Long days, dirty, smoky or dry air and wind will all tend to overload the eyes own protective cleaning system.

Sore red eyes

Sore, red eyes are caused by the skin over the eye becoming irritated and red (inflamed). This is usually caused by one of three things;

1. An allergic reaction to something in the air (like pollen) or something liquid such as insecticide, soap or cream getting onto the eye and irritating it.

2. An infection, usually a virus or bacteria, but in the tropics fungal spores and some other rare infective agents can cause an infection.

3. Injury. Very commonly something gets into the eye and causes a very slight scratch on the skin of the eye. The body reacts as if it is a graze on any part of the skin. It increases the blood supply (making the eye red and swollen). The eye feels like there is still something in it even it may have been cleared away by blinking.

SELF-CARE

What you can do yourself

Eye strain/Tired eyes/Dry eyes

Rest/close your eyes for a few minutes.

Rinse with cool, previously boiled water.

If driving, use sunshades/sunglasses. Keep the windscreen clean, beware of open windows or open air vents blowing air directly into the eyes. Driving slowly can be very helpful.

Artificial tears/drops applied directly onto the eyes will moisten the skin and bring relief.

Allergy

Avoid the possible irritant.

Wear glasses to prevent any irritant blowing into the eye.

Rinse with cool, previously boiled water.

Try not to rub the eyes thereby causing further irritation.

Try sodium chloride (table salt) eyedrops to relieve the symptoms.

In some countries sodium chromoglycate eye drops can be purchased.

Infection

Wipe your eyes with cotton wool dipped in cool tea or previously boiled water. Apply the wool from the eye part nearest the nose and move outwards. Use the cotton wool once only and discard, repeating as necessary. This clears the discharge.

Viral infections are usually mild with little discharge and affect both eyes. Bacterial infections usually start in one eye and cause more discharge. Bacterial infections usually require antibiotic eye drops. Commonly, Chloramphenicol 0.5%, two drops in each eye every four to six hours will clear the infection. It is important that you continue the eyedrops for two days after the infection has appeared to clear.

Injury

If you suspect grit or dust has entered your eye and you can feel it on blinking, have a look in the mirror and if necessary turn the inside eyelids out. The grit or dust can be removed by rinsing the eye or using a piece of tissue. The eye should feel almost normal immediately.

When to seek medical opinion

If you have followed all the advice and the symptoms are getting worse.

If the eye becomes increasingly painful, red and sensitive to light.

If after two days of artificial tears, eye drops or antibiotics, the symptoms have not cleared.

When to go straight to an eye specialist or casualty

If you experience any loss of vision.

If you cannot remove the 'foreign' body such as dust, grit or insect.

If you have any other medical condition which may slow down the process of healing/recovery.

If the eye gets swollen, the skin around the eye becomes red, headaches increase and/or vomiting and fever develop.

If you suspect that any object however small, such as a splinter of metal, glass, stone or spark from a fire or match has gone into or through the surface of the eye.

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Email: info@whatshouldido.com