DOH Issues Tips to Prevent Sore Eyes

Iloilo City (PIA6) — Wash your hands frequently, minimize hand-to-eye contact, and use your own towels, make-up, eyedrops, and sunglasses.

These are some of the reminders issued by the Department of Health (DOH)-6 to the public on how to avoid sore eyes.

In the DOH advisory, sore eyes, also known as conjunctivitis, is manifested in redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes in the inner part of the eyelids.

The DOH said that sore eyes can be transmitted through direct contact with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person or touching eyes with hands getting in contact with surfaces, instruments, eye solutions, or make-ups contaminated with the virus from an infected person; and entry of the virus through the eyes by swimming in poorly chlorinated pools

Symptoms include eye redness and itching; a watery pus or discharge from the eyes; and eyelids that are stuck together when waking up. Severe cases may involve pain of the eyes when exposed to sunlight and foreign-body solutions.

Incubation period or time from exposure to onset of symptoms is usually 5-12 days.

The DOH said there is no specific treatment during the acute phase of one to two weeks.

The DOH advised those with profuse eye discharge or with blurred vision or severe pain to consult an ophthalmologist.

Other tips to prevent sore eyes include wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses on windy days to protect eyes from foreign particles, avoiding crowded places, disinfecting surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons, and handrails with dilute bleach solution, and washing clothes, towels, pillow cases, and items that may have come in contact with an infected person. (JSC/LTP-PIA Iloilo)