How to Protect Your Eyes from Holi Colors: Essential Eye Safety Tips
How to Protect Your Eyes from Holi Colors: Essential Eye Safety Tips
28 February 2025

What simply happens is when we are caught up in celebrations with friends, we might forget self-care. It happens in Holi when we play with colors, and we indulge ourselves in some mishaps like eye damage, skin allergies, and the list goes on. 

It's our duty to play games safely and prevent them from being a disaster in our lives. That's when the essential eye safety tips come to our rescue. With Vision Concern Eye Clinic, you can learn about early warning signs of eyes, daily eye care routine, and perform preventive measures. 

Holi Colors: A Spiritual Essence 

Holi, the Festival of Colors embraces the arrival of spring and joyful victory over evil in a true sense. It falls on the full moon day of Falgun month each year. 

One prominent narrative involves Prahlad, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, and his evil aunt Holika, who attempted to kill him. This story reminds us about the righteous path in life. 

Linking it to Vision Care, it’s our core responsibility to love ourselves for who we are and take care of ourselves wholly, which also includes our eyes. With Holi, you learn emotional healing, forgiveness, a new beginning, shared joy, and camaraderie. 

Holi Powder Side Effects

Holi Powder is a symbol of celebration in Nepal and India, but if not handled with care, this celebration can be a disaster. Synthetic colors available in the market if applied without proper caution can cause severe skin and eye-related issues. 

1. Irritation and Allergies: 

Markets are pre-dominated with chemical-based colors each year resulting number of mishaps using colors like redness, itching, and swelling in the eyes. Individuals with sensitive skin or allergies have more adverse symptoms. 

2. Vision Disturbances: 

When we don’t take Holi colors seriously, we might end with vision disturbances. When we contact with chemical colors, we can manifest blurry vision or sensitivity to light. In some cases, it may result in inflammation of the cornea. 

3. Risk of Infections: 

Since Holi colors are now synthetic, not the natural ones like they used to be in the past, the time has come when we become cautious. If we do not exercise caution, we may harbor bacteria and fungi. It may increase the risk of infections. 

4. Corneal Abrasions: 

Though majorly caused by scratches or cuts in the cornea, it may also occur to you with the entry of colors in the eyes. Rubbing your eyes when exposed to color can increase the risk factor. So, it is essential to play Holi safely. 

Dos for eye protection 

  • Wear sunglasses or protective goggles to create a barrier against flying colors.
  • Opt for natural, eco-friendly, or herbal colors for playing Holi.
  • Apply coconut or almond oil around your eyes to add a protective layer before Holi. 
  • Keep clean water readily available to flush your eyes immediately if any color gets in.
  • Wear a hat to help prevent colored powder from falling directly into your eyes.

Don’ts for Eye Safety 

  • Don't rub your eyes, if colors get into your eyes as this can worsen irritation.
  • Resist the urge to rub your eyes, or there can be scratches and infections. 
  • Avoid wearing contact lenses during Holi.
  • Do not use random eye drops or home remedies if you have eye irritation 
  • Avoid forcing anyone to join in the celebrations.
  • Avoid synthetic colors for Holi as they contain toxins like lead, mercury, and asbestos.
  • Don’t expose your hair and scalp  to color this can be risky,
  • Avoid aggressive play, which can forcefully introduce color into our eyes. 

Color in Your Eye? Act Fast!

What to do if Holi colors get in your eyes? This blog shall help you access urgent eye care after Holi color. 

1.  Don’t Panic, Don’t Rub 

Your first instinct once something gets in your eyes is to rub your eyes. But it is not advisable to rub your eyes if colors enter your eyes as the situation can get pretty serious if you do that. Your eyes may be scratched and intense pain might develop. 

2. Rinse Thoroughly

The first thing we do every day is wash our face and rinse our eyes because even dirt build-up can have harsh effects in the long term. 

Similarly, after a Holi celebration, we need to remove any excess color particles from our face and eyes with clean water. We try not to apply hot water at any time as chemicals may react with it, worsening the infection. 

3. Sterile Eye Wash

Sometimes Holi colors get into your eyes in that case you need to rinse your eyes with clean water. Even if your eyes feel fine, its a good practice to follow up with Post-Holi care by washing off your face and eyes with sterile eye wash. 

4. Cold Compress

If you want to reduce discomfort and inflammation, a cold compress is a great option. We can make it by soaking clean cloth in cold water and firmly applying it over our eyes for instant relief. 

5. Seek Medical Attention 

Don’t hesitate to contact a nearby eye expert, if you face intense pain, redness, or sensitivity to light. Vision Concern Eye Clinic is here to help you. You can visit us at three prime locations in Kathmandu; Lazimpat, Makalbari, and Boudha (Tushal) for truly accessible eye care services

What we do at Vision Concern Eye Clinic 

Post-Holi Care

Eye safety is our prime responsibility and we prioritize that before, during, and after Holi celebrations. You can do Post Holi Eye care routine by, 

  • Wearing eye patches (for specific medical conditions, as directed by a doctor)
  • Applying eye serum
  • Massaging your eye area (gently, with appropriate techniques)
  • Protecting your eye area with sunscreen
  • Applying eye cream

If you wore contact lenses during Holi, remove and discard them immediately after use. That’s because the colored water can get trapped under the lenses, increasing the risk of infection. 

At the same time, you have to be mindful of the following steps, 

  • Don’t smoke as it is contagious for your health. 
  • Keep your glasses and lenses in good condition. 
  • Know the risk factors for the eyes. 
  • Give your eyes a break. 
  • Eat right to protect your sight. 

Conclusion 

Protect your vision after Holi. Simple precautions and knowing what to do if problems arise can help you a big time. You need to adopt simple eye precautions and response measures to keep your eye health intact during Holi celebrations. 

Eye irritation or injury are some signs one need not ignore. Even a bit of irritation in the eyes can be a progressive sign of some hidden diseases. Get your eyes checked with Vision Concern Eye Clinic and get expert solutions. 

FAQs 

1. Are natural colors safe for the eyes?

Plant- and flower-based natural colors are relevantly safe for the eyes. While they are less harmful compared to synthetic colors, it is wise of you to exercise caution and promptly rinse your eyes if they get irritated. 

2. How can I ensure my child's eye safety during Holi?

Ask your child to wear goggles before the Holi party begins. Only introduce them to natural (non-toxic colors) made from flowers, herbs, or vegetables. 

You can instruct your child never to throw colors directly at anyone’s face, especially the eyes. It's our responsibility as parents to encourage them to apply colors respectfully, with soft hands, and at a safe distance.

If by any chance color gets into the eyes, tell your child never to rub their eyes. Or else this can worsen irritation and potentially cause corneal abrasions. 

3. Can I wear contact lenses during Holi?

It's advisable to avoid wearing contact lenses during Holi festivities. Contact lenses can trap color particles and increase the risk of eye irritation or infections.

Yes, we provide emergency eye care for conditions like eye injuries, sudden vision loss, and infections. If you experience any urgent eye problems, please contact us immediately, and our team will assist you in getting the care you need.

Signs to watch for include blurry vision, floaters, sudden loss of vision, eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an eye exam at Vision Concern Eye Clinic as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment.

If you’re experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain, it may be a sign that you need glasses or contact lenses. Our eye exams will help determine whether you need corrective lenses. We’ll also discuss your options based on your lifestyle and preferences, including glasses, contacts, or even refractive surgery like LASIK.