How to protect your eyes this Holi: Do’s and don’ts

By Dr. Pranay Kumar Singh

With the festival of colours, Holi just around the corner and everyone eagerly waiting to jump into the celebrations, adequate care for the eyes is a must. Unfortunately, many while celebrating and throwing water balloons do not realize what the consequences of such actions could be. It is important that while having fun we also observe precautions especially when it comes to eye care.

Nowadays, it has been observed that vegetables and flowers dyes are no longer being used to make colors. Instead, synthetic chemical colours are being used which have an adverse effect on eyesight. Therefore, it is essential that we take care of our eyes while playing Holi, or one could suffer from irritation and/or allergies, infections, and sometimes even temporary blindness. Celebrate- but do so responsibly.

Here is a list of DOS and DONT’S for you to keep in mind before you play Holi:

DO’S

1. Oil protection
   The skin around your eyes is very sensitive. Apply coconut or almond oil around your eyes before you go out.
2. Use shades
   Apart from looking cool, your eyes stay protected too. When someone is applying colours on your face make sure they do not enter the eyes. It can be covered by using protective glasses, sunglasses, or plain glasses. This shall help in preventing the colour from entering the eyes.
3. Blinking and cleaning
   It is important to try and remove as much of the colour from the eye as possible. In case it has entered your eyes, wash them immediately with clean or drinking water many times.

Lower your face and then try gently to open your eyes in the water collected in your palms. Blink frequently and try and move your eyes around to help rinse off the colour. Do not put water in your eye since that can be detrimental. Also, it is advisable to tie your hair and use a cap to prevent coloured water dripping into your eyes. This may cause eye infections and allergies while playing Holi. Try and keep your eyes open at this time.

4. Consult a doctor
   In case the redness does not go, or if there is discharge, itchiness, uncomfortability or bleeding -Immediately consult an eye care professional.
5. Be mindful
   It’s indeed beneficial to not smear the colours anywhere near the eye. However, this is not always possible, so keep your eyes and lips tightly shut if you are attacked on your face.
6. Lubricating eye drops
   Lubricating eye drops can be used in case of irritation in the eyes with the tear supplements. This will help calm any irritation and will also wash off some of the residual colours inside the eye.

DON’TS

1. Do not rub your eyes
   The most important thing to careful while playing Holi is to avoid touching your eyes or rubbing them more frequently as it will cause irritation or vision loss.
2. Avoid water balloons
   Refrain from using water balloons. These are very dangerous and cause blunt trauma to the eye which could cause bleeding, lens subluxation or dislocation, macular edema, or retinal detachment. This could result in loss of vision or even loss of an eye. These situations need to be investigated immediately by an ophthalmologist.
3. Removing substances
   Do not try to remove anything that has entered your eyes using a handkerchief or tissue; it will only make things worse.

4 Avoid contact lenses
Avoid wearing contact lenses or opt for a daily disposable one as it may cause more harm than good. Contact lenses have water absorbing properties and tend to concentrate any coloured water that enters the eye increasing the risk of allergies and infections. Contact your contact lens specialist for further guidance.

Be careful with those who wear spectacles while smearing the colours on their face, and it’s better to ask them beforehand, or else you could even hurt the person with his/her own spectacles.

Those wearing spectacles face quite a few issues during Holi. Even if they wear specs, the colour can settle in the minute spaces of the frame. Rimless spectacles also are easily breakable. Hence, it is advised to avoid wearing spectacles.

While you make sure the vibrant colours bring a lot of positivity into our lives, ensure they stay away from your eyes.

Enjoy Holi for the amazing festival that it is but follow these tips so that you and your loved ones remain safe. Stay happy and colorful!

The author is Regional Head – Clinical services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh