Kartik Aaryan's Frightening Eye Experience During Film Training
Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan recently opened up about a disturbing health issue he faced while preparing for his role in the film Chandu Champion. The actor, who portrayed India's first Paralympics gold medalist Murlikant Petkar, spent extensive hours swimming during training. Some sessions stretched to eight hours in the pool.
"For the first five or six days, I felt something was definitely wrong with my eyes," Aaryan confessed during an interview. "Meri aankho ke samne ek film ban jati thi... ek dum blur dikhayi dekha tha." He described experiencing a film forming over his eyes, accompanied by significantly blurred vision.
The Chlorine Connection Revealed
When Aaryan consulted medical professionals, they identified the primary culprit immediately. Spending eight hours daily in chlorinated water had severely affected his eyes. The actor admitted to initial confusion and anxiety about his symptoms.
"Of course, I was suspicious," Aaryan shared. "I wondered if I was just overthinking after Googling symptoms, or if my eyes had developed some problem. Could it really be the eight hours in chlorine? Is it that bad?" He added that internet searches often amplify health concerns, leaving him feeling somewhat paranoid at the time.
Reflecting on the entire episode, Aaryan told Mashable India that it served as a genuine eye-opener. He never imagined that routine pool time could impact his vision so dramatically.
Medical Explanation: How Chlorine Harms Eyes
Dr. Ankit Deokar, Cornea Consultant and Chief Medical Officer at Sankara Eye Hospital in Indore, explains that symptoms like those Aaryan experienced are quite common with prolonged chlorine exposure.
"Chlorine can cause chemical conjunctivitis, often called swimmer's eye," Dr. Deokar states. "This condition leads to redness, itching, irritation, stinging sensations, burning feelings, dry eyes, inflammation, and sometimes blurry or cloudy vision."
Over extended periods, chlorine exposure can weaken both the cornea and conjunctiva. This weakening makes eyes more vulnerable to infections and persistent inflammation. For professional swimmers or individuals spending several hours daily in pools, repeated chlorine contact can have more serious consequences.
Chronic exposure may result in persistent dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal micro-abrasions, recurrent infections, and heightened sensitivity to light. The blurry vision or film-like sensation Aaryan described typically indicates tear-film instability, which is crucial for maintaining clear vision.
"Chlorine disrupts this essential tear layer, causing dryness and uneven coverage over the cornea," Dr. Deokar adds. "This disruption can lead to temporary blurred vision, foreign body sensations, or a hazy appearance. Persistent symptoms definitely warrant evaluation by an eye specialist."
Practical Protection Tips for Swimmers
To safeguard eyes during lengthy swimming sessions, Dr. Deokar offers several practical recommendations:
- Wear protective goggles consistently and avoid opening eyes underwater without protection.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses in pools, as chlorinated water can become trapped beneath them, increasing irritation.
- Rinse eyes, face, and hands thoroughly with fresh water immediately after exiting the pool.
- Use lubricating eye drops before or after swimming sessions, especially if prone to dryness.
Aaryan's experience serves as an important reminder that even casual swimmers need to take precautions. With proper care and attention, swimmer's eye is largely preventable. These measures ensure that extended hours in the pool don't compromise long-term eye health.
Disclaimer: This article draws information from public sources and expert insights. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new health routine.
