CHENNAI: When the heat is on in Chennai, the first place you probably run to is an airconditioned room. However, your

eyes

may feel differently, says Dr S Preethi , head clinical services, Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital, Chennai.

“On an average, people tend to spend 14 to 16 hours per day in an airconditioned room. But these artificial air and temperature changes caused by ACs harm our health as well. Common complaints of people working in

are that they feel dryness, irritation, grittiness, stickiness, itching, burning and watering from the eyes. It’s medically termed ‘Dry Eye Syndrome’,” she says.

In an airconditioned room especially in very low temperatures, there is of loss of

, and the air becomes extremely dry, altering lipid production from glands in the eye lids causing both change in quality and quantity of tear film and hence dry eyes, says Dr Preethi.

“Without lubrication, the eyes are more vulnerable to inflammation and infection,” she explains.

How do you know if you have dry eyes? Symptoms include burning, dryness, grittiness, itchiness, watering from the eyes and blurred vision.

Tips to prevent dry eyes

▪ Minimise number of hours of using airconditioned rooms

▪ Set the AC temperature to 23 degrees C and above.

▪ Avoid sitting with your face facing airconditioners thereby preventing eyes being directly exposed to air from them.

▪ Place a small open bowl of fresh water in a corner of the room that has the airconditioner to maintain humidity of air.

▪ Drink enough fluids a day

▪ 7 – 8 hours of sleep will give adequate rest to eyes