Monsoon eye care: 7 essential safety tips for contact lens wearers
Rising humidity, dirty hands, and even improper lens care can make things worse. However, you don't need to ditch your lenses. With expert-recommended hygiene practices and simple swaps like daily disposables or protective eyewear, you can keep your vision safe and clear. This guide offers the precautions every contact lens wearer should take during the rainy season.
Why the monsoon season puts your eyes at risk
Rainwater may look clean, but it can carry dust, allergens, bacteria, and even parasites. When it splashes into your eyes while you're wearing lenses, it can increase your chances of infections like:
Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Highly contagious and marked by redness and irritation.
Keratitis: An infection of the cornea, often caused by bacteria or fungi that thrive in water.
Corneal ulcers: Serious open sores on the cornea that can lead to vision loss if untreated.
Even seemingly safe sources like tap or bottled water should never be used for rinsing lenses.
Water can get trapped under the lens, creating a moist environment where bacteria can multiply rapidly, leading to irritation and infection.
Why your lenses feel uncomfortable during monsoon
Humidity outside combined with dry indoor air conditioning can throw off your eyes' moisture balance. This sudden change can make lenses feel sticky, blurry, or just plain uncomfortable. Your eyes may also dry out faster, especially if you wear lenses for long hours without breaks.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Monsoon eye health guide: How to wear contact lenses safely during rainy season
These are 7 essential steps to protect your eyes while continuing to wear lenses during monsoon:
Practice strict hand and lens hygiene
Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses. Any moisture on your fingers, even clean-looking water—can carry microbes. Use only a doctor-recommended cleaning solution to disinfect your lenses. Avoid all types of water, including tap, bottled, or filtered, for cleaning.
Avoid going out in the rain with lenses
Rain can splash harmful contaminants into your eyes.
If you're stepping out, consider wearing glasses instead. They act as a physical shield against water, dust, and airborne allergens.
Switch to daily disposables
Daily disposable lenses are a hygienic choice during the monsoon. Since you use a fresh pair each day, there's no need for cleaning or storing, reducing the risk of infections significantly.
Never rinse lenses with water
It's worth repeating—water is not sterile. Whether filtered or not, it can carry harmful organisms that don't belong anywhere near your eyes.
Always use lens solution, and remember to replace your lens case every 2 to 3 months to avoid microbial build-up.
Know the warning signs
If you experience symptoms like redness, blurry vision, pain, itching, or excessive watering, remove your lenses immediately. These may be early signs of an eye infection. Prompt medical advice can prevent long-term complications.
Give your eyes a break
Make it a habit to go lens-free at least one day a week. Wearing glasses allows your eyes to rest and rehydrate naturally—especially helpful in a season where humidity and pollution levels can fluctuate unpredictably.
Consider switching to glasses or adding sunglasses
During heavy rains, opt for eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. They offer better protection against raindrops, allergens, and even UV rays, which can still damage your eyes through clouds. If you still prefer lenses, wear sunglasses on top for an extra shield against the elements.
You don't need to stop using contact lenses during monsoon; just be smarter about it. Prioritise hygiene, stay alert to early signs of discomfort, and avoid water contact. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can enjoy clear, healthy vision even in the wettest weather. This monsoon, let protection and prevention guide your eye care routine.
Also Read:
Colon Cancer vs. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How to recognise symptom differences early
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Why multiple sclerosis remains under-diagnosed in India, and what needs to change
Multiple Sclerosis, by its core definition, is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. This disease leads the immune system to mistakenly attack the myelin sheath, the fatty layer responsible for giving the brain's white matter its distinctive colour, disrupting the transmission of signals across motor, sensory, visual, cognitive, and autonomic systems. This leads to commonly-experienced symptoms such as unexplained weaknesses, tingling sensations, sensitivity to heat and numbness in the feet- and due to easy dismissal arising from the commonality of these symptoms, many individuals with multiple sclerosis remain undiagnosed, further worsening the brain and body's condition. These unchecked symptoms could lead to them experiencing a relapse - a sudden onset of these symptoms, the intensity of which differs from case to case. The burden of under-diagnosis The issue is lack of awareness around this rare disease: as estimated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI), the approximate number of persons with MS in India is close to 1.8 lakh. However, only about 35% of these cases are diagnosed and registered through organisations such as MSSI. Therefore, a whopping 65% of this number may be living with undiagnosed multiple sclerosis, suggesting that they suffer silently, without proper support, and are uninformed about the root cause behind their symptoms. Studies indicate that both physical and mental aspects of health are deeply affected, causing depression, physical disability and fatigue, leading to an overall drop in quality of life. The heat factor According to a 2024 survey, 80% of Indians between ages 18 to 50 experience at least one symptom of stress on a regular basis, with women being disproportionately affected. This, coupled with India being geographically positioned in a high temperature zone, and the fact that women are more susceptible to MS suggests that Indian women between the ages 18 to 50 may have the highest chances of suffering from undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. MS also afflicts males, and they too may suffer relapses worsened by the same triggers, though generally at a lower prevalence and with varied presentation across age groups and heat exposure. Adding to this, men with MS may experience more severe neurodegeneration and cognitive symptoms - although the root cause remains unclear. Men are shown to have higher chances of being diagnosed with primary progressive MS (PPMS). This type of MS is characterised by a lack of remissions and symptoms that don't improve. Most Indians therefore, undergo MS relapses triggered not just by stress, but also by infections, and prolonged heat. Dismissal of symptoms due to their commonality in nature is not the only factor behind the high ratio between diagnosed and undiagnosed populations affected by MS; lack of awareness among the public and healthcare providers, uneven access to specialist neurologists and MRI diagnostics, and limited data systems for tracking the disease nationwide all contribute to the problem. A scalable solution To bridge this gap, especially in rural settings, one scalable solution is through using the National Health Mission's Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) worker network. Nearly one million ASHAs already engage with rural communities, track symptoms, and help people seek care. Training ASHAs to spot red-flag neurological signs, such as persistent numbness, tingling, and unexplained fatigue that worsens in heat, can greatly reduce missed diagnoses. At the same time, improving primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) under initiatives such as the Aardram Mission in Kerala to include basic neurological screening tools and MRI referral pathways can boost early detection in underserved areas. Supported by targeted education for physicians, including accessible continuing medical education (CME) programmes for general practitioners on recognizing MS, triggers, and referral protocols, we can build a grassroots awareness model that does not rely on metro-based outreach and fits with India's public health system. Need for more awareness The key in bridging the gap between diagnosed patients and silent sufferers of MS in India lies in awareness. With multiple sclerosis still being considered a rare disease, there are no proven studies that determine its root cause or cure. However, better management of symptoms through early diagnosis may lead to a better quality of life, also minimising the overall damage caused to the myelin sheath. It is advisable to check with your neurologist and get screenings done to confirm your diagnosis, if you suspect you may have this autoimmune disease. (Dr (Col) J. D. Mukherji is vice chairman and head, department of neurology, institute of neurosciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi.
Time of India
4 minutes ago
- Time of India
Canada hit by worst wildfire season in 40 years, Moncton among affected areas
Canada is facing one of its most severe wildfire seasons, with a rapidly spreading fire north of Moncton prompting officials to urge residents in the rural community of Maple Hills to prepare for a potential evacuation, although no order has yet been issued. The blaze, burning near Irishtown Nature Park, has grown to 30 hectares as of Sunday evening(August 10), according to New Brunswick's wildfire data dashboard. The Municipality of Maple Hills is asking residents between Cape Breton Road, Weisner Road, Elmwood Drive, and Roma Way to have belongings and pets ready in case evacuation becomes necessary. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Maple Hills Mayor Erica Warren praised the swift response of first responders and said trenches are being dug as firebreaks to contain the flames. 'Things could be a whole lot worse had they not responded as quickly and effectively as they did,' she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Residents are closely watching the situation. Moncton Firefighters Association urged the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency crews safe access for fire and water shuttle operations. Meanwhile, the City of Moncton has issued a boil-water advisory for parts of Elmwood Drive and nearby areas due to elevated turbidity in water caused by fire-fighting efforts. Residents are advised to boil water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until further notice. Live Events The Oldfield Road wildfire near Miramichi continues to rage, now covering approximately 340 hectares. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for three homes and a cottage, while 15 other properties remain on alert. No residents were home when the evacuation was ordered. The fire has jumped Highway 8 and remains out of control, with reduced visibility hampering containment efforts. New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister John Herron described the Oldfield Road fire as 'beyond control' during a Saturday briefing, emphasizing that extreme fire conditions are overwhelming firefighting resources. The province has banned access to all Crown land to reduce fire risks, restricting outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and driving in forested areas. In York County, a smaller fire near Canterbury, which spanned about five hectares, was brought under control Sunday afternoon. Officials warn that this wildfire season is unusually severe, with conditions not seen in nearly four decades due to prolonged dry weather.
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
ChatGPT's alarming interactions with teenagers: Dangerous advice on drinking, suicide, and starvation diets exposed
A latest research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has revealed troubling interactions between ChatGPT and users posing as vulnerable teenagers. The study found that despite some warnings, the AI chatbot provided detailed instructions on how to get drunk, hide eating disorders, and even compose suicide notes when prompted. Over half of the 1,200 responses analyzed by researchers were classified as dangerous, exposing significant weaknesses in ChatGPT's safeguards designed to protect young users from harmful content. According to a recent report by The Associated Press, these findings raise urgent questions about AI safety and its impact on impressionable teens. ChatGPT's dangerous content and bypassed safeguards The CCDH researchers spent more than three hours interacting with ChatGPT, simulating conversations with teenagers struggling with risky behaviors. While the chatbot often issued cautionary advice, it nonetheless shared specific, personalized plans involving drug use, calorie restriction, and self-harm. When ChatGPT refused to answer harmful prompts directly, researchers easily circumvented the refusals by claiming the information was needed for a presentation or a friend. This revealed glaring flaws in the AI's 'guardrails,' described by CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed as 'barely there' and 'completely ineffective.' The emotional toll of AI-generated content by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo One of the most disturbing aspects of the study involved ChatGPT generating suicide letters tailored to a fictitious 13-year-old girl, addressed to her parents, siblings, and friends. Ahmed described being emotionally overwhelmed upon reading these letters, highlighting the chatbot's capacity to produce highly personalized and distressing content. Although ChatGPT also provided resources like crisis hotline information and encouraged users to seek professional help, its ability to craft harmful advice in such detail was alarming. Teens' growing dependence on AI companions The study comes amid rising reliance on AI chatbots for companionship and guidance, especially among younger users. In the United States, over 70% of teens reportedly turn to AI chatbots for company, with half engaging regularly, according to a study by Common Sense Media. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged concerns over 'emotional overreliance,' noting that some young users lean heavily on ChatGPT for decision-making and emotional support. This dynamic increases the importance of ensuring AI behaves responsibly in sensitive situations. Challenges in AI safety and regulation ChatGPT's responses reflect a design challenge in AI language models known as 'sycophancy,' where the chatbot tends to mirror users' requests rather than challenge harmful beliefs. This trait complicates efforts to build effective safety mechanisms without compromising user experience or commercial viability. Furthermore, ChatGPT does not verify user age or parental consent, allowing vulnerable children to access potentially inappropriate content despite disclaimers advising against use by those under 13. Calls for improved protections and accountability Experts and watchdogs urge stronger safeguards, better age verification, and ongoing refinement of AI tools to detect signs of mental distress and harmful intent. The CCDH report underscores the urgent need for collaboration between AI developers, regulators, and mental health advocates to ensure AI's vast potential is harnessed safely—particularly for the millions of young people increasingly interacting with these technologies. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
