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Medically Reviewed by Shroff Eye Centre’s Anterior Segment Team
Monsoon weather increases the risk of eye infections because humidity allows bacteria, viruses, and allergens to multiply rapidly. Many people experience redness, itching, irritation, or infections such as conjunctivitis during the rainy season. Simple precautions like maintaining eye hygiene, avoiding contaminated makeup, and keeping contact lenses clean help protect the eyes and reduce infection risks during monsoon months.
Why Do Eye Infections Increase During the Monsoon?
Warm and humid weather during the monsoon allows microorganisms to grow faster on surfaces, cosmetics, and contact lenses. Rainwater mixed with dust and pollutants can irritate the eyes and introduce infection-causing microbes.
Common monsoon eye problems include:
- Conjunctivitis (viral and bacterial pink eye)
- Stye (hordeolum) – a painful red lump on the eyelid
- Blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelid margins
- Allergic eye irritation
- Contact lens infections
Persistent redness, watering, discharge, or irritation requires timely evaluation by an eye specialist for proper conjunctivitis treatment.
7 Monsoon Eye Care Tips to Prevent Eye Infections
1. Avoid waterproof eye makeup.
Yep, you read that right. As contradictory as it sounds in rainy weather, waterproof eye makeup is harder to remove properly. The particles from waterproof makeup- whether eyeliner or mascara- builds up along the lash lines and can clog the glands found here. These glands produce substances that keep your eyelid and eyes healthy as well as free from dryness and infections. If you must use waterproof make-up, please ensure that you remove it properly (frankly, even water-based make-up should be removed properly) before sleeping!
2. Throw away old makeup & wash those brushes!
- Bugs (bacteria & viruses) love this hot & humid weather. One place where they hide & grow is in old makeup. This can spread infections like conjunctivitis.
- Ideally, you should throw away makeup if it’s more than 3 months old- even if you’ve hardly used it!
- Brushes should be washed & dried frequently – especially if you’ve shared them with someone else… This brings us to the next point…
3. Don’t share makeup, brushes or handkerchiefs!
This is a strict no in any season! Bacteria & viruses can be passed from one person to another this way. This is the truest for eye infections- please don’t share those eyeliners, kajal or mascaras with anyone else – be it, friends or siblings!
4. Change lens solution often.
This is even more important in hot humid environments.
- Discard the lens solution in the lens case after every use and add a fresh solution to the case.
- Do not “top off” or use water to clean lenses.
- Open lens solution bottles should be used or thrown within 1-3 months (please check the lens solution bottle for details).
- Do not use lens solutions beyond their expiry date.
All this minimizes the chances of contamination by other microorganisms in the container or lens solution.
5. Touch your eyes only with clean hands
We understand this is a tough one but it’s so so important!
Try not to touch or rub your eyes with unclean hands. Always try to wash & dry your hands before touching your face, eyes or lids. This is the simplest way to avoid most infections (including COVID)!
6. Wash Your Eyes if Rainwater Splashes on Your Face
Gently wash your eyes with drinking water. If any eye redness or irritation in the eye occurs- please consult an eye doctor!
7. Don’t self medicate
Pink eye or conjunctivitis, stye and blepharitis are quite common in the monsoon. All may have overlapping symptoms such as red eyes, itchy eyes or irritation in the eyes. Most people land up in trouble when they self-treat or take medication from their local chemist. Infections can become worse as many times viral infections are wrongly assumed to be bacterial and treated with the wrong antimicrobials.
When Should You See an Eye Specialist?
Consult an eye doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:
- Persistent eye redness
- Eye discharge or watering
- Pain or sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Swelling around the eyelids
A lot of these infections can cause loss of eyesight as well. Don’t wait for it to become a problem, get to your nearest eye specialist in Delhi NCR. Early diagnosis allows timely treatment and prevents complications.
Eye problems? Searching for an eye specialist near me in Delhi NCR? Shroff Eye Centre has 4 eye clinics in Delhi NCR. Contact
110, Bestech Chambers (Radisson Suites),
B Block, Sushant Lok Phase I, Sector 27,
Gurgaon, Haryana – 122002
+91-9650588828
509, KM Trade Tower, adjacent to Radisson Blu,
Sector 14, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad,
Uttar Pradesh 201010
+91- 8826263999
Eye Hospital in Kailash Colony
A-9, Kailash Colony,
New Delhi – 110 048
A-7 ground floor (back gate),
Kailash Colony
New Delhi – 110048
+91-9910956780
Eye Hospital in Connaught Place
105 Surya Kiran,
First floor 19,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi 110001
+91-9667042345
FAQs About Monsoon Eye Care
Q: What are the most common eye infections during the monsoon?
Doctors frequently diagnose conjunctivitis, stye, blepharitis, and allergic eye irritation during the monsoon because humidity supports bacterial and viral growth.
Q: Can rainwater cause eye infections?
Rainwater may contain pollutants, dust, and microorganisms. Contact with contaminated rainwater can irritate the eyes and increase infection risk.
Q: Is it safe to wear contact lenses during the monsoon?
People can safely wear contact lenses if they maintain strict hygiene. Washing hands, using fresh lens solution, and limiting lens wear time reduce infection risk.
Q: What are the symptoms of an eye infection?
Common symptoms include redness, itching, watering, discharge, swelling, irritation, and sensitivity to light.
Q: How can I prevent eye infections during the rainy season?
Maintaining eye hygiene, avoiding contaminated makeup, washing hands regularly, and cleaning contact lenses properly helps prevent infections.
Q: When should I see a doctor for eye irritation?
Seek medical advice if irritation lasts longer than a day or symptoms include pain, blurred vision, discharge, or swelling around the eyes.
Disclaimer : This information is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in a video or read about on a blog or website.
