While most Indians are busy celebrating Children’s Day today, it's important to also focus on the health of every child, which can worsen during cold weather, apart from other times of the year. Dr Cyres K. Mehta, surgical chief at Dr Cyres K. Mehta’s International Eye Centre, explains, “Children’s eyes are more sensitive to environmental changes. During the winter, humidity drops and cold winds cause dryness and irritation. Indoor heating and air pollution further reduce moisture in the air, leading to dry eyes, redness, and itching. Additionally, children tend to rub their eyes more frequently, which can introduce bacteria or viruses, increasing infection risk.”

mid-day spoke to Dr Mehta and Dr Nitin Kolte, medical director and chief surgical ophthalmologist at Poona Eye Care, to understand more about how winter affects a child’s eyes. They not only bust common myths but also highlight how parents can deal with it.