As Glastonbury Festival approaches, excitement builds for one of the world’s largest outdoor music events at Worthy Farm, Somerset. From June 25 to June 29, over 200,000 attendees will gather for five days of music, celebration, and fun. However, health experts are cautioning festival-goers to stay vigilant against eye infections like conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
Dr. Nisa Aslam, GP and adviser for Goldeneyecare—a pharmacy brand specializing in treatments for conjunctivitis, styes, and blepharitis—highlights the increased risk of eye issues at crowded festivals. “The combination of late nights, shared tents, poor hygiene facilities, dehydration, and heavily applied eye makeup creates a perfect environment for eye irritation and bacterial infections,” Dr. Aslam explains.
Beyond infections, seasonal allergies can also affect eyes during the summer festival season. “About half the UK population experiences hay fever. When pollen causes eye symptoms, it’s called Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis,” she adds. Grass pollen peaks in summer, precisely when festivals like Glastonbury are in full swing. Itchy, watery eyes often lead to rubbing, which can introduce harmful bacteria. Dehydration, common at festivals, also leads to dry eyes, increasing susceptibility to infection.
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Contact lens wearers face additional challenges amid limited cleaning facilities such as showers and toilets. “Contact lenses attract dust and grime. Wearing them in festival environments, especially overnight, significantly raises the risk of eye infections,” warns Dr. Aslam.
Maintaining hygiene at Glastonbury is challenging due to the sheer scale and outdoor conditions. Despite efforts to provide clean toilets, showers, 850 wash basins, hand sanitisers, and safe drinking water, the vast crowds make it difficult to guarantee perfect cleanliness. Attendees often face long queues and muddy, dusty areas that complicate hygiene.
Festival-goers should prepare by packing essentials like wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and a collapsible bucket for washing. While food vendors comply with strict hygiene rules and local councils promote disease prevention, personal precautions remain vital.
The NHS describes conjunctivitis as an infection or allergic reaction causing red, itchy, watery eyes, often with discharge. Though it typically resolves within two weeks without treatment, managing symptoms helps speed recovery. Cleaning eyelids with cooled boiled water and cotton pads, using cold compresses, and avoiding contact lenses until healed are recommended steps. Pharmacists can advise on suitable eye drops containing antiseptics that inhibit bacterial growth.
Dr. Aslam’s top five tips to protect eyes at festivals include:
- Don’t share makeup: Avoid exchanging eyeliner, mascara, or false lashes to prevent spreading infections.
- Consider glasses over lenses: Opt for glasses or daily disposable lenses and always wash hands before handling contacts.
- Pack a first-aid kit: Carry antiseptic eye drops or ointments like those with propamidine isethionate for quick treatment.
- Use glitter cautiously: Prefer body glitter over eye glitter, which can irritate and introduce particles into the eye.
- Hands off eyes: Avoid touching eyes, and if necessary, use a clean tissue discarded immediately.
By following these practical steps and staying mindful of hygiene, festival attendees can enjoy the Glastonbury experience while minimizing uncomfortable and contagious eye conditions.