EYES: A VALUABLE ASSET

“Eyes are the jewels of the body” —Henry David Thoreau

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Dr Sharma, an ophthalmologist, was sitting in his living room, sipping coffee while reading his favourite digital magazine, Edge & Essence. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. He went to open the door and saw Meera, his younger sister, standing there with red, puffy eyes, rubbing them furiously.

“Brother! Thank God you’re home!” she cried, barging in without waiting for an invitation.

Mrs Sharma, who was a makeup artist, rushed over to see what was happening. “What’s wrong, Meera? Have you been crying?”

Meera flopped down dramatically and said, “It’s just itching from this new mascara I bought recently. My eyes have been burning all day. Brother, you’re an eye specialist — please help me!”

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Dr Sharma chuckled, fetched his instrument to examine her, and said, “This is a classic case of contact dermatitis caused by preservatives in cheap makeup. I’ll give you some eye drops, but remember to follow these precautions from now on: use clean makeup brushes, follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds — maintain healthy blood sugar levels, stay hydrated, reduce screen time, and eat carrots, spinach, salmon, and foods rich in vitamin A.”

Mrs Sharma intervened and added, “Also, limit the use of cheap makeup and roadside kajals. Instead, you can make one at home by burning a diya wick in a clay lamp overnight. Collect the powder on a plate and mix it with a drop of ghee. Apply it using a clean cotton bud. It helps cool the eyes, fight allergies, is cost-effective, and gives you a trendy smoky look without the itch.”

Meera smiled and said, “You both are my heroes,” and hugged them.