With soaring temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in Gurgaon, doctors are observing a significant increase in cases of eye strokes, also known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). Symptoms of this condition include sudden visual disturbances or vision loss, often evident upon waking up. Hospitals in the city have reported that approximately 10% of these cases involve eye infections, dry eyes, and AION.

AION occurs when there is a severe reduction or complete cutoff of blood flow to the front tissues of the optic nerve, potentially resulting in vision loss. While eye strokes primarily impact individuals over the age of 50, younger people are also susceptible due to current environmental stressors.

During an eye stroke, patients may experience sudden vision loss without significant eye pain, leading to blurred central vision or visual field defects. Dr. Parul M. Sharma, the principal director and head of the department at Fortis Eye Institute, highlighted that AION, often overshadowed by heatstroke, has been on the rise as temperatures escalate.

Dr. Parul emphasized that eye strokes are sometimes mistaken for the effects of heatstroke on the eyes, which typically manifest as dryness, allergies, and infections such as styes and conjunctivitis. Changes in blood vessels or clotting are more closely associated with an individual’s diabetic or hypertensive condition rather than heat alone.

To safeguard eye health during the heatwave, Dr. Parul recommended several measures, including wearing sunglasses outdoors, frequent hand washing or sanitization, refraining from touching the eyes without washing hands, using cold compresses for itchy eyes, and employing lubricating eye drops for dryness.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) can manifest in two forms: anterior (AION) or pos…