Spike in conjunctivitis cases causes alarm; here’s how you can stay safe from ‘pink-eyes’ flu

Spike in conjunctivitis cases causes alarm; here’s how you can stay safe from ‘pink-eyes’ flu

Pink may be the colour of the season due to the craze for ‘Barbie’, but don’t ignore pink eyes!

Conjunctivitis, also known as the ‘pink eye syndrome’, is a common yet painful ocular disease. It occurs due to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye. The infection is contagious and can spread rapidly from one individual to the other.

In a press release, Dr. TS Sujatha, General Ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon at Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital explained that high humidity during the rainy seasons generations growth of bacteria, leading to more conjunctivitis. “The prevailing high humidity during the rainy season fosters viral growth, creating favorable conditions for the spread of conjunctivitis. Areas with frequent water logging and regions where hygiene practices are not well-maintained, such as slum dwelling areas, are at higher risk for transmission. Children, their family members, and even healthcare workers have been significantly impacted, making up almost 30-40% of the affected group.” she explained in the statement.

Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis
Redness in one or both eyes.
Increased sense of itching.
Discharge from eyes. It may also form a crust that may prevent your eyes from opening in the morning.
Sensitivity to light or photophobia.

What Causes Conjunctivitis?
According to a Mayo Clinic report, the following are some of the most common factors that cause conjunctivitis:
Viruses and bacteria.
Allergies.
Close contact with harmful chemicals
A blocked tear duct.
Exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, etc can also cause conjunctivitis.

How can Conjunctivitis Be Prevented?
Maintaining great hygiene is mandatory if you want to steer clear of this painful eye disease. Some basic hygiene practices such as regular washing of the face, avoiding touching your eyes too much and maintaining clean surroundings, and practicing rigorous self-hygiene are some fail-proof ways of staying safe from the eye flu.TET

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