PM 2.5 LEVEL REACHES PURPLE ALERT, RESULTS IN ALLERGY INCREASE |細懸浮微粒刺激結膜 發炎患者劇增

Over the past few days, PM2.5 levels have reached purple alert in many areas across Taiwan, causing a 20 to 40 percent increase in allergic conjunctivitis. Ophthalmologists said that PM 2.5 particles are so small that they can easily get inside the conjunctiva, stimulating allergic reactions, and dilation of blood vessels. Scooter riders, contact lens wearers, and people who suffer from allergies should wear a face mask and wrap-around sunglasses while staying outdoors. Ms. Chen, who has a predisposition to allergies, found that her eyes were quite dry and itchy over the past few days. In the morning of Jan.6, her eyes swelled and prickled, making it difficult for her to open her eyes. She had watery eye discharge as well. Wearing sunglasses, Chen hurried to the hospital to seek treatment. She was diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis. ==MS. CHEN conjunctivitis patient== I have allergic conjunctivitis, and I am susceptible to allergies. It may be the dirty air that causes my eyes to itch and sore. Ophthalmologist said that due to the bad air quality, patients with allergic conjunctivitis have increased 20 to 40 percent recently. PM 2.5 particles are so small that they can easily get inside the conjunctiva. They then travel through blood vessels in the eye and trigger chronic allergic reactions, and dilation of blood vessels. Those riding scooters, wearing contact lenses, or having an allergic predisposition are highly susceptible to eye inflammation. ==WANG MENG-CHI Ophthalmologist== Those having dry eye syndrome, wearing contact lenses, having allergic conjunctivitis, and especially those often working outdoors, are more likely to be affected by air pollution. Ophthalmologist said that people who have an allergic predisposition should stay indoors during periods of air pollution. When going outdoors, it is advised to put on a face mask and wrap-around sunglasses to protect oneself from UV rays and PM 2.5. TRANSLATED BY ARIEL HSIEH 這幾天空汙嚴重、多處紫爆，眼科醫師發現，急性、慢性結膜炎患者明顯增加二到四成，因細懸浮微粒PM2.5，很容易進入結膜黏膜，引發過敏反應造成充血發炎，提醒機車族、戴隱形眼鏡及體質過敏的人，出門最好戴口罩及包覆式太陽眼鏡。 原本就有過敏體質的陳小姐，這幾天眼睛覺得乾乾癢癢的，沒想到今天早上起床時，發現兩眼紅腫又刺痛，分泌物也很多，就連出門散個步、眼睛都痛得張不開，只好戴上太陽眼鏡趕緊來就醫檢查，原來是罹患了過敏性結膜炎。 ==結膜炎患者 陳小姐== 因為我本來就有過敏性結膜炎 就是本來就很過敏 然後可能空氣很髒 所以就很癢 很痛 眼科醫師表示，類似像陳小姐這樣的患者，最近幾天明顯增加二到四成，因為空氣品質不良，空汙中的細懸浮微粒PM2.5相當細小，很容易進入結膜黏膜，循著血管到眼睛周圍，引發慢性過敏反應，造成血管充血發炎，尤其機車族、戴隱形眼鏡者、或是體質過敏的人，都是高危險群。 ==眼科醫師 王孟祺== 乾眼症的患者啦 戴隱形眼鏡的族群 跟過敏性結膜炎的一些族群 尤其是像一些比較 常在戶外工作的這些族群 也都是比較容易受到影響的 眼科醫師建議過敏者，這幾天要減少外出，若非得出門時，也最好戴上口罩，並使用包覆式的太陽眼鏡，這樣才防止紫外線及PM2.5的傷害。 記者 賴淑敏 彭耀祖 台北報導