(ECNS) -- Patients with eye diseases have increased triple times the usual in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, as a new round of heavy smog hit the area, according to Wuhan Evening News.
Xiao Chen, 23, who wears colored contacts everyday for work, has been diagnosed with conjunctivitis.
An ophthalmologist surnamed Peng said smog contains a large amount of sulfide and acidic materials, which will irritate ocular surfaces and cause dry eyes. He also indicated that wearing contact lens in smoggy weather would make eye conditions even worse.
Contact lenses are like particle vacuums, absorbing viruses and germs from the smog and causing eye irritation and infection along with other illness like dry eyes and corneal abrasion, Peng explained.
He suggested wearing glasses instead of contacts during smoggy days and people to consciously blink to let the lachrymal flush the cornea. He also said flushing eyes immediately with clean water would help get rid of harmful particles and germs after returning from outdoors.
Hot-smoke and hot-compresses have better results on dry itchy eyes compared to eye drops, he added.
