Every year, as winter begins to settle in and a blanket of smog hovers over our cities, many people start noticing something beyond breathing trouble, their eyes begin to feel tired, scratchy, and unusually irritated. What seems like a minor discomfort often turns out to be Dry Eye Syndrome, a condition that becomes far more common during India’s pollution season. With the air getting heavier and visibility dropping, our eyes quietly bear the brunt of what’s happening outside.
Doctors across the country see a sudden rise in cases as pollution peaks. It isn’t just the cold breeze drying our eyes; the air itself is filled with fine particles and harmful gases that interfere with the eye’s natural protective layer, known as the tear film. This leads to a burning sensation, persistent redness, and that gritty feeling many describe as having sand stuck in the eyes.
Medical experts explain that pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone directly disturb the tear film. These irritants cause inflammation and make tears evaporate faster, leaving the eyes dry and vulnerable. With winter bringing low humidity and cold winds, the discomfort only increases. Even indoor conditions add to the problem, heating systems and constant air conditioning speed up evaporation, worsening symptoms.
The tear film, a thin fluid layer that keeps the eye comfortable and protected, is extremely sensitive to environmental changes. When pollution levels rise, this delicate layer becomes unstable. Dust, smoke, and particulate matter stick to the surface of the eyes, disrupting their natural moisture balance.
The concern doesn’t end with short-term irritation. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can damage the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which produce the oily component of tears. This oil is essential because it prevents tears from drying up too quickly. When these glands are affected, dryness becomes chronic and recovery takes longer than most expect.
As pollution becomes a yearly battle, our eyes are increasingly becoming silent victims of the season. Understanding what’s happening is the first step toward protecting them before irritation becomes a lasting problem.
