Local pharmacist Ali Mounai said he has received a number of patients who have complained about eye infections but he said it is only because the summer is approaching, which means the weather is changing.
Specialists confirmed that the use of pesticides is harmful for the eyes and would also cause asthma.
However, they agreed that a study needs to be conducted to know if the eye infections are related to pesticides used to fight after-flood diseases, including malaria and dengue fever, or whether these infections be a result of the normal change in weather and air pollution.
It is said that ten percent of people suffer from seasonal allergies. Mothers are advised to take care of their children who might be more affected by the weather.
Mohammad, who lives in Aziziah, said he got eye infection.
“I am using eye drops which is helpful, but I am afraid the problem will extend to my children,” he said.
Zahra a college student said she thought that the red eyes she has been complaining about are because of the long hours she sit on computer.
“I work for long hours, and I thought it is because of that, but when I went to the pharmacy I managed to know that it is not only me and was advised to relax my eyes because it is allergy from the weather,” she said.
Majida Abo Ras, a board member of the Saudi Environment Association, said that the general pollution in the weather is affecting the health of the public not only because of the pesticides used following the floods.
CO2 she said is everywhere and it is affecting health.
“We also need to put into consideration the weather that is changing from cold to hot,” she said.
“We should not blame it on the catastrophe because people suffering from eye infections are not only living in the affected areas.”
