{
  "id": 9656602,
  "title": "When haze leaves your eyes red, dry and gritty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/when-haze-leaves-your-eyes-red-dry-and-gritty-9656602",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-24T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/09/25/when-haze-leaves-your-eyes-red-dry-and-gritty"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Haze's effects extend beyond the lungs, irritating the eyes as well. While the main focus is on staying indoors and avoiding strenuous activity, many forget to protect their eyes. Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Siva Kumar Sundralingam explains that the delicate ocular surface has minimal protection, making it highly susceptible to airborne particles and chemicals. These pollutants can lead to discomfort in the short term and pose risks to eye health over time.\n\nHaze is composed of fine and coarse particles, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and other compounds from fires, vehicle emissions, and industrial sources. These substances can dissolve or settle on the tear film, the thin layer of moisture covering the cornea and conjunctiva, disrupting the eye's natural protective balance. Here are the primary ways haze impacts the eyes and preventive measures to consider.\n\nRedness, itching, and a gritty sensation are common symptoms when pollutants irritate the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye. This irritation can lead to inflammation, causing burning, excessive tearing, and the sensation of sand or grit beneath the eyelids. Individuals with allergic conjunctivitis or sensitive eyes may experience more pronounced symptoms during poor air quality.\n\nThe tear film, composed of mucus, water, and oil layers, can be destabilized by pollutants, causing rapid evaporation and exposing the cornea. This destabilization is one reason why haze exacerbates dry eye symptoms like stinging, burning, and blurred vision. For individuals with existing dry eye disease, continuous exposure may further impair the glands responsible for maintaining tear stability.\n\nFine particles, like PM2.5, can worsen eye irritation when they settle around the eyes and beneath the eyelids. Repeated rubbing to remove these particles can damage the cornea, increasing the risk of infection. Instead of rubbing, rinsing the face with cool water, using lubricating eye drops, or applying a cold compress is safer. Preservative-free artificial tears can help flush away irritants and restore moisture to dry or uncomfortable eyes.\n\nChronic exposure to heavy pollution can have longer-lasting effects. Persistent inflammation may worsen dry eye disease and impair tear gland function, potentially affecting visual clarity. Chemical irritation could harm the cornea's outer cells, particularly in severe or prolonged cases. Additionally, prolonged exposure combined with ultraviolet light may lead to non-cancerous conjunctival growths.\n\nTo minimize exposure, wraparound sunglasses or protective goggles offer better protection than ordinary glasses, as they cover more of the eye area and reduce direct contact with airborne irritants. The most effective way to protect your eyes is to stay indoors during haze, keep windows closed, and use an air purifier with proper filtration. Preservative-free lubricating eye drops can help alleviate discomfort by rinsing away trapped irritants and restoring moisture to the tear film disrupted by pollution. Contact lens wearers should be cautious, as soft lenses can trap fine particles, worsening irritation. If symptoms persist or worsen, consulting an eye care professional is recommended.",
  "summary": "Fine particles and chemicals can disrupt protective tear film, irritate the cornea and worsen existing conditions, especially during prolonged periods of pollution.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "When haze leaves your eyes red, dry and gritty",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/when-haze-leaves-your-eyes-red-dry-and-gritty",
        "published": "2026-09-24T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}