Haze and your eyes

It’s been a while since Singapore has experienced a massive dose of Haze. As air quality worsens (as of Sep 14 2019) reported by the weatherman, here’s an article we wrote previously to help everyone combat the ill effects of the dreaded Haze.

What is Haze?

Haze comprises of visible large particulate matter ( PM10) and smaller particulate matter (PM2.5). There are also invisible harmful gases such as Sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. They are produced during burning of vegetation and peat forest.

Singapore Haze

image source: i.telegraph.co.uk

How can Haze affect us?

Apart from the unpleasant smell and sight of haze, it can affect all our surfaces including eyes, nose, throat, lungs and skin. The particulate matters and harmful gases can irritate these surfaces and result in inflammation, increase mucus production and worsening existing allergic conjunctivitis, sinusitis, asthma, chronic obstructive lung diseases, heart diseases and eczema.

Singapore Haze 2

image source: vulcanpost.com

Call for an appointment (65) 6456 1000

Haze and the eyes

The haze can irritate the eyes surfaces resulting in itch, swelling, redness and tearing with eye discharges. Those with existing dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis will be more affected by the haze. Contact lenses wearer are also more likely to be affected as they usually have lower tears production when wearing contact lenses.

How do we protect our eyes against haze?

  1. Avoid staying outdoors for prolong periods.
  2. Wear protective eye wear such as wrap around sun glasses to limit air flow in front of the eyes
  3. Use lubricant eye drops as frequent as hourly to 3 hourly to flush and keep the ocular surfaces moist and clean.
  4. Those are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis can use antihistamines eyedrops such as patanol, pataday, relestat etc to reduce itch. Avoid rubbing the eyes as it will just worsen the condition. For more severe cases, topical steroids eye drops may be needed to reduce the inflammation. These eyedrops are not available over the counter or at pharmacies without prescription.
  5. If eye symptoms persist or worsen, do consult us or your eye doctors for further management

Call for an appointment (65) 6456 1000

 

Article by:

Dr Lim Wee Kiak

eec-drlim

Locate us

Mt Alvernia

820 Thomson Road,
Mount Alvernia Hospital,
Medical Centre D, #06-57/58/59/60/61/62
Singapore 574623

Fax: (65) 6456 1006
Mt Elizabeth Orchard

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
3 Mount Elizabeth #08-08,
Singapore 228510

Fax: (65) 6836 0002
Parkway East

Parkway East Medical Centre,
319 Joo Chiat Place,
#05-03 Singapore 427989

Fax: (65) 6348-1001
Mt Elizabeth Novena

38 Irawaddy Road,
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
#08-22/23/24 Singapore 329563

Fax: (65) 6570 1001
Westgate

Westgate Mall,
3 Gateway Drive,
#02-42A Singapore 608532

Fax: (65) 6250-6066
Royal Square at Novena

Royal Square Novena Medical Centre at Royal Square at Novena,
101 Irrawaddy Road,
#11-07 to 13 Singapore 329565

Fax: (65) 6456-1002
King Albert Park

KAP Residences Mall,
9 King Albert Park,
#01-42/43/44 Singapore 598332

Fax: (65) 6475-1880
StarMed Specialist Centre

12 Farrer Park Station Road,
#05-02/03/04,
StarMed Specialist Centre, Singapore 217565


BOOK ONLINE