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If you have bloodshot, itchy and/or teary eyes every time you clean up your room or even just the bed, chances are you have eye allergy.
A recent survey found that bed sheets, air-conditioning system, chemical materials such as detergents, dust and curtains are the top five sources of eye allergy at home and office.
Doctor's advice: don't rub your eyes when they show the above-mentioned symptoms, or you risk damaging the cornea and consequently your eye sight; washing bed sheets and curtains in 60 degree Celsius water regularly can effectively get rid of mites (acarids), which cause allergy and other physical problems, and keep your room clean to reduce health risks.
The University of Hong Kong published a public survey conducted on behalf of a local eye-care product wholesaler earlier this year. It received legitimate replies from 511 residents with eye illnesses who answered a questionnaire designed to reveal the sources of their allergies.
The result shows 39 percent of the interviewees also have nose allergy; 64 percent of the 511 have had eye allergy for at least two years; 55 percent said eye allergy had affected their jobs and daily life, including inability to read, watch television and computer screen for long and having to forgo makeup and contact lens.
It also shows the top five sources of eye allergy, while the most common responses are applying eye drops (39 percent), with only 13 percent and 8 percent of respondents saying they would seek help from a medical doctor or eye doctor (ophthalmologist), respectively.
Local ophthalmologist Dr Kwan Yan-wing said air pollution has become worse in recent years and certain chemicals in the air, such as sulfur dioxide, can irritate the eye and sometimes cause allergy .
Dr Kwan recommended washing bed sheets and curtains in clean water heated to 60 degrees Celsius to wipe out mites and their likes hidden in the fabrics, cleaning air-conditioning units regularly and wiping furniture with wet towels and everyday.
A big no-no is using eye drops containing steroids, which can lead to high eye pressure and glaucoma. ■春生 資深翻譯員
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