New Delhi, Oct 30 || The national capital's continued poor air quality and thick smog engulfing the city are not only harmful for the lungs but also eye health, said ophthalmologists on Thursday, while reporting a 50 per cent surge in eye-related problems.
The thick blanket of smog and dangerously high levels of pollution have led to a spike in cases of eye allergies, dryness, burning sensations, and excessive watering, affecting both adults and children.
Doctors say that the toxic cocktail of smoke, particulate matter, and chemical residues released during firecracker burning is not only harmful for the lungs, but for the eyes as well.
"If your cornea gets damaged, you need a corneal transplant to restore your vision. However, if pollution levels continue to rise, a time will come when no corneal transplant will be effective, because the cornea is getting damaged due to pollution," Prof Sudarshan Khokhar, Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, told, adding that the elderly are more vulnerable as the cornea is already weak in them.