As temperatures soar across India, most people focus on dehydration, heatstroke, and fatigue, but there is another silent summer problem many overlook - dry, irritated eyes. Doctors are seeing a noticeable rise in dry eye syndrome during heatwaves, driven by dehydration, air conditioning, dust, and prolonged screen time.
“Hot weather can be harsh on your eyes, often leading to irritation, redness, and a constant feeling of dryness. This condition, which is often associated with dry eye syndrome, gets worse in the summer because of the heat, dehydration, and exposure to air conditioning and dust,” said Dr. Mandeep Singh Basu, Director, Jagat Pharma.
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Hot weather can be surprisingly harsh on your eyes. During a heatwave, your body loses more fluids through sweating, reducing tear production. This leads to dry eyes, redness, irritation, and a gritty sensation. High temperatures combined with humidity and pollution further worsen eye discomfort.
Another major culprit? Air conditioning. While it cools your environment, it also removes moisture from the air, accelerating tear evaporation. Add long hours of screen exposure - where your blink rate drops significantly - and your eyes are under constant stress. “Air conditioning can help cool things down, but it can also make the air inside dry. This can make your eyes feel worse, especially if you spend a lot of time in air conditioning,” said Dr. Basu.
Doctors say many people ignore early signs, which can worsen over time. Watch out for:
High temperatures combined with humidity and pollution worsen eye discomfort
According to Dr. Basu, one of the simplest yet most effective solutions is proper hydration. Drinking enough water helps maintain tear production and keeps your eyes naturally lubricated. Sufficient water intake during the day helps maintain the natural moisture level of the eye. Foods with high water content work to provide additional hydration for your eyes,” he said. Include hydrating foods in your diet, like:
Stepping outdoors without protection can expose your eyes to harmful UV rays, hot winds, and dust particles. Wearing UV-protected sunglasses not only shields your eyes from sunlight but also prevents dryness and long-term damage.
If you live in a dusty or windy area, protective eyewear becomes even more important.
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