Tear gas can damage sight

Research coming from Brazil indicates that the use of tear gas may be dangerous. This article presents the clear facts and suggest some strategies for protesters the world over, how to reduce the harmful effects of the gas on the eyes. Cold water is the best medicine soon after contact. Know the risks and how to protect your eyes..

The actions spread over 80 cities in Brazil, each with different claims, may hold risks for the sight of pedestrians and passers-by in the streets whether they are protesters or not. That's because, according to the ophthalmologist Leoncio Queiroz Neto of the Institute Penido Burnier, it is in the eye that most serious complications can occur after exposure to tear gas, which is being used to contain the demonstrations.

Composed of toxic substances such as chlorobenzylidene, or chloroacetophenone dibenzoxazepine, tear gas causes irritation in the eye, respiratory tract, skin and digestive tract that usually lasts an hour or more, depending on the time of exposure and ventilation highlights.

Higher contamination
The doctor explains that the reaction of the eye when it comes into contact with the gas is defense. So the sensation is burning, tears, it turns red and the cornea dilates making vision blurred. "The natural reaction of people is to take the hands to the eyes. This only worsens the effect which spreads because the substances on the surface and can increase penetration," he warns. Eye irritation can also worsen when using cloths bound to the head or face paint. "Cloths and paints are impregnated by the gas which increases the evaporation of substances. Anyone with conjunctivitis, which is quite common at this time of year, and people with allergies should stay well away from demonstrations".

"Let us not forget," he comments, "the 2 million people who use a contact lens. This should be removed immediately because the eye may become contaminated and cause corneal damage".

How to protect yourself
Queiroz Neto says that to protect eyes one should wear sunglasses, ideally closed on the sides. In case of contact with the gas take off the glasses, and wash with water. Staying with the glasses contaminated worsens eye irritation. In the opinion of the physician the soft lenses should not be reused even after cleaning. "In this case they should be discarded because they can undergo changes that may compromise the health of the cornea," he warns. For users of fixedlenses he recommends treatment in a specialized center before reuse.

In case of failure in protecting the eyes, then the recommendation is to wash your eyes with cold water until the discomfort disappears and the eye does not itch. Never touch the eyes with dirty hands. Those who wish to join the demonstrations should wear tight clothing to avoid skin contact with the gas, but never remove clothes over the head do not touch the mouth and eyes with the clothes, he says.

Pregnant women, people with allergy and asthma should stay away from the activists. For these groups the consequences of tear gas can be fatal despite being considered a weapon, the specialist concludes.

Eutrópia Turazzi

LDC Comunicação

Portuguese version, Pravda.Ru

Translated by Olga Santos