A man douses himself with water along a street as hot temperatures continue in Manila, Philippines on Friday, April 26, 2024. Aaron Favila, AP Photo 

MANILA — As temperatures soar, so does the discomfort of sore eyes – a common condition exacerbated by hot weather, a doctor said Friday. 

Sore eyes or conjunctivitis is characterized by swelling of the eye's conjunctiva, the thin layer covering the white part of the eye, according to Dr. Sharlene Noguera, an ophthalmologist from the Asian Eye Institute. 

Symptoms include redness, discharge, and sometimes pain or itching, which can be caused by allergies, bacteria, or viruses.

"Allergy nakukuha kapag exposed ka sa alikabok, sa pollen... Maraming klase ng bacteria saka virus so 'yung very common for virus is 'yung tinatawag na adenovirus so 'yan 'yung mga cause din nga mga common cold. Kaya minsan kapag may viral conjunctivitis, 'yung pasyente meron din siyang sipon, meron din siyang lagnat," Noguera said.

(Allergic conjunctivitis is acquired when exposed to dust, pollen. There are many types of bacteria and viruses, and the most common virus is called adenovirus, which also causes the common cold. So sometimes, when a patient has viral conjunctivitis, they also have a runny nose and fever.)

She added that during hot weather, dust levels increase, leading to a higher incidence of sore eyes.

"Siyempre gustong gusto rin ng bacteria 'yung init ng panahon; maggo-grow siya lalo. Pero sa virus, wala naman siyang temperature relationship," she said.

(Bacteria thrive in warm weather, encouraging their growth. However, viral growth is not affected by temperature.)

While allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious, she said bacterial and viral forms are highly transmissible and should be prevented from spreading through contact or airborne transmission.

"So dapat talaga pag nasa labas tayo hindi natin kakamutin yung mata natin o hahawakan natin. ‘Pag bumahing siya sa ‘yo tapos napunta yung secretion sa mata mo, pwede rin 'yun (makahawa)," she said.

(We should avoid rubbing or touching our eyes when we are outside our homes. One can also contract conjunctivitis from sneeze secretion that gets in the eye.)

She warned of the rapid spread of viral conjunctivitis in crowded summer hotspots like beaches and swimming pools.

"Kung may viral conjunctivitis ang isang pasyente kapag nag-swimming siya pwede niyang mahawa 'yung andun nagsu-swimming," she said.

(If a patient has viral conjunctivitis and they go swimming, they can infect others who are swimming there.)

Recovery time varies, with some cases resolving within a week or two, while severe infections may be longer and require medical intervention.

For home care, Noguera recommended cold compresses and eye drops for relief.

"Pwede kang kumuha ng cold compress para ipapatong mo over your closed eye lids, mga 10 minutes, three times a day or more. Mare-relieve niya ‘yung pangangati, pamamaga. Usually 'yung allergy may mga gamot din siya na antihistamine eye drops. 'Yung bacteria saka virus usually naman pwede siyang mag-resolve on its own," she said.

(You can use a cold compress by placing it over your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes, 3 times a day or more, to relieve itching and swelling. Allergic conjunctivitis usually have medications like antihistamine eye drops. Bacterial and viral infections typically resolve on their own.)

Noguera advised seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.

However, she dispelled myths surrounding unconventional remedies like breast milk, urging patients to rely on proven medical treatments.

"Hindi totoo 'yung magpapatak ka ng breast milk. Lalo na sometimes 'yung mga ihi, so wag niyong papatakan ng anything na ganyan para hindi lalong lumala," she said.

(It's not true that breast milk or urine can heal sore eyes. Don't drip anything like that to avoid making it worse.)

Dr. Noguera reminded the public to always wash their hands when in public places, avoid rubbing their eyes, and protect their eyes from the sun to prevent the spread of sore eyes and maintain eye health.