King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital advised people with allergies and those who had recent eye surgery not to leave the house during sandstorms.

Dr. Saad Al-Harbi, Anterior Segment Consultant at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, said that the weather fluctuations affecting the various regions of the Kingdom affect eye patients and the affect increases with exposure to dust. He added that those who have sensitive eye or had a recent eye surgery are recommended not to leave the house during weather changes.

Dr. Al-Harbi said: "If the patient has to go outside home, it is preferable to wear glasses and masks and put on the eye shield for those who underwent recent surgery to avoid the dust entering the eye. He also advised to wash the face and eyes with cold water. He added that if the patient feels pain or burning in the eye, he/she should use refresh drops and avoid rubbing the eye with hands to prevent sand grains form scratching the surface of the cornea, which may lead to inflammation of the eye. Dr. Al-Harbi advised to avoid wearing contact lenses during the sandstorm and not to look at the sun to avoid burning of the retina. At the end of his statement Dr. Al-Harbi wished safety to all.

It is worth mentioning that the hospital accounts in the social media @ KkeshKsa contributed in raising the awareness on eye care by posting educational materials on how to deal with weather fluctuations including medical advises and responses to patients' queries.