Chemical conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation that occurs when the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white of the eye, is irritated by chemicals or irritants. This condition often causes red eyes, watery eyes and a burning sensation.
According to Dr. Jay Goyal, an ophthalmologist at Surya Eye Hospital (Mumbai, India), conjunctivitis caused by chemicals occurs when the eye is exposed to agents such as chemicals, smoke, dust or chlorine.
He said: "Chemochemical conjunctivitis, also known as toxic conjunctivitis, occurs when the protective eye membrane is irritated by harmful substances. This condition often causes red eyes, watery eyes and a burning sensation.
Causes of the disease
There are many causes of conjunctivitis due to chemicals, the most common of which is exposure to irritants such as chemicals in household cleaning products, cigarette smoke or sprays, air pollution, chlorine and disinfectants in pool water.
Some medical studies show that alkaline substances can cause more serious eye damage than acid because they can penetrate deep into eye tissues.
In addition, pool water or seawater can also irritate the eyes in some people. When the eyes are uncomfortable, many people have a habit of rubbing their eyes vigorously, which can damage the eye surface and increase the risk of infection.
According to Dr. Jay Goyal, just swimming in a swimming pool can cause eye irritation. Chlorine and disinfectants in swimming pool water can damage the protective tear membrane, thereby leading to non-communicable conjunctivitis.
Recognition signs
Some common symptoms of chemical-induced conjunctivitis include:
Red eyes
Burning sensation or tingling
Tears flowing
Sensitive to light
Eye discharge causes eyes to stick when you wake up
If symptoms persist or are more severe, patients should see an ophthalmologist for timely treatment.
How to reduce the risk of disease
Experts recommend taking some measures to protect the eyes from conjunctivitis caused by chemicals:
+ Wear swimming goggles when swimming in the pool
+ Bathing and washing eyes after swimming
+ Wash your eyes immediately with clean water if exposed to chemicals
+ Wear protective glasses when working in a chemical environment
Dr. Jay Goyal also emphasized that if the eyes are exposed to chemicals or prolonged irritation symptoms appear, it is necessary to wash the eyes immediately with clean water and go to a medical facility for examination, to avoid complications affecting vision.
The information in the article is for reference only, not for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should talk directly to your doctor for accurate and appropriate advice to your health condition.
