Conjunctivitis cases are on a rise in the city, with hospitals seeing a surge in patients seeking treatment for eye infection and inflammation.
Characterised by redness and inflammation, conjunctivitis is inflammation of the outer layer of the eye, caused by virus, bacteria or other microbes. Commonly, seasonal surge in eye infection that tends to affect several people is caused by virus. Doctors say that timely treatment is essential as a simple infection can lead to complications if left untreated or improperly treated.
“In some cases, the virus can cause damage to inner parts of the eye, which can damage vision. Treating the infection early is the best way out. In most cases, hygiene measures are just as important as medication,” said Dr Ravinder Goud, an eye specialist at State-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital.
The hospital, like specialist eye-care centres across the city, is seeing a rise in out-patient numbers. Patients arriving for treatment have symptoms ranging from redness to itchy eyes.
According to Dr. Goud, infection due to viral conjunctivitis used to clear within three days a few years ago but now the infection takes longer to clear, sometimes as long as 15 days.
“There appears to be some resistance that the viruses may have developed. The virus paves the way for bacterial infection,” he added.
Besides seeking medical treatment, he advised those afflicted with the condition rest, hydration and hand hygiene, besides minimising or avoiding contact with other people in order to reduce risk of the virus spreading.
