Frequent rain in the past few days has led to a rise in viral conjunctivitis cases in the city.
Frequent rain in the past few days has led to a rise in viral conjunctivitis cases in the city. Eye specialists said they are seeing many more cases than they do on average, with patients complaining of burning sensation and watering of eyes.
Viral conjunctivitis is a common type of pink eye that is highly contagious and is caused because of contact. It can also accompany common viral upper respiratory infections such as measles, the flu or the common cold.
Dr Girija Suresh, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Fortis Hospital, said “I am getting an average of 25 new patients every week who have been diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis. I often notice people complaining that the infection starts in one eye and quickly spreads to the other eye.”
The virus is airborne and can be caused by being around an infected person. Its symptoms include redness or swelling of the white of the eye or inside the eyelids and increased amount of tears.
Speaking to The Asian Age, JJ Hospital’s head of ophthalmic department, Dr Ragini Parekh said, “Don’t self-treat, don’t take steroids and avoid touching eyes. It spreads because of touching, not seeing. If a person has such an infection, it is very much important to keep such a patient in isolation till the infection clears. Patients and everybody else around them should ensure washing of hands with soap and water.”
“A lot of times, even as the sore eyes do not heal, patients continue using steroid-based eye drops for more than a fortnight. Self-medication in such cases is risky as it can lead to permanent damage to the cornea,” said Dr Parekh.
Viral conjunctivitis tends to follow a longer course than acute bacterial conjunctivitis, lasting for approximately two to four weeks.
Experts warn that if mistreated viral conjunctivitis can cause white spots in the cornea, leading to blurring of vision.
