Chennai : External eye diseases are those that affect the ocular surface. Because the outer surface of the eye is in direct contact with the environment, external eye infections and injuries are common. There are also hereditary conditions that can result in outer/external eye disorders. The most common symptoms of external eye disease are redness and irritation.

According to Dr Srikanth Ramasubramanian, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, ‘allergies in the eyes are common. It can happen due to side effects of medications, pollen, environmental allergens, or even by wearing contact lenses. Touching the eyes with a dusted hand might also result in redness and irritation of the eyes resulting in allergies. Symptoms might be redness, burning of the eyes, or watery discharge from the eye. It is important to see a doctor if the allergy worsens to avoid any major damage to the eye. The doctor might suggest eye drops, ointments or oral medications could also be indicated to treat allergic ocular conditions.’
On infections, he said there are different kinds of infections like conjunctivitis, infectious keratitis, and infectious endophthalmitis to name a few. Eye infections are common and the patients with such infections might develop pain, blurred vision, and red eye. One of the major types of infections is conjunctivitis. Not all infections can be treated with topical antibiotics. Some of the infections might need an urgent referral to the ophthalmologist.

‘Having a good vision allows one to connect with the world around. Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining healthy vision. Some vision problems are easily treatable whereas a few may not be cured. However, early detection can help in curing the disease. Some vision problems might not show any symptoms but regular eye checkups can help in detecting the same. One needs to wash the hands frequently and avoid touching the eyes with dirty hands, bathe regularly, use clean towels and tissues and have a healthy diet to avoid any kind of eye infections,’ he added.