Media Information and Health Awareness Center at the Ministry of Health called for the implementation of a series of tips for the safety of eyes during the Hajj, such as avoiding staying for a long time under the sun, especially for patients suffering from allergic conjunctivitis or spring conjunctivitis.
Media Information and Health Awareness Center urged the pilgrims to wear sunglasses during the day to keep the eyes, pointing the allergic conjunctivitis frequently occurs during the Hajj season due to eye exposure to dust and sun.
The Center explained that the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include tears, redness, and strong itching and the most important means of prevention are using cold water to wash the face and eyes, and staying away from the sun by using sunglasses.
When exposed to infection, you should visit the health center to describe the special eye drops such as moisturizing eye drops or anti-allergy drops, according to the severity of allergies, the Center added.
The Center stated that the second disease that can be transmitted to pilgrims is the bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by eye exposure to severe dust, or using others' belongings, explaining that the symptoms of this disease include redness of the eyes, purulent discharge, and adhesion of the eyelids in the morning.
When exposed to infection, you should visit the health center to get your medicine, such as eye drops, ointments and antibiotics, and the pilgrim must also wash his eyes and avoid using things of others, the Center added.
With regard to patients with diabetes, the Center said that they should have retinal screening, take their diabetes medicines, follow the appropriate diet, and control the amount of sugar in the blood before going to Hajj, and for patients with high eye pressure (Glaucoma), they should take their medicines on time.
Media Information and Health Awareness Center advised all patients who have had recent surgery on their eye to entirely cover the areas of the eye (by using Plastic Protective Cover) throughout the period of Hajj to avoid dust as much as possible, thus averting any possible inflammation. Also, he must avoid undue stress or carrying heavy things.
If you do get something in your eye, the Center said, wash your eye with water and do not try to remove a foreign body yourself. Instead, you have to see a doctor or head for the nearest hospital emergency department for help.