Hospitals overwhelmed by patients

Experts advise seeking medical attention only from qualified medics

RAWALPINDI:

With the rapidly increasing cases of viral conjunctivitis disease, several patients have started lining up outside the outpatient departments of the three major public hospitals of the garrison city.

Patients who arrive in the allied hospitals including, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and the District Headquarters Hospital with symptoms of burning, itching and watery eyes are being sent home with precautions along with necessary medication.

The victims of conjunctivitis include both children and adults. Those suffering from the disease are also turning to private clinics in addition to the public medical facilities.

According to sources, at least two people in every household were suffering from the viral disease.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the Head of the Eye Department in the three allied hospitals, Dr Fawad Ahmed Niazi, said a large number of conjunctivitis patients were visiting public hospitals. “Those who contract the viral conjunctivitis disease get relief only after seven days,” he said.

“The virus spreads to other people much faster when the victim touches their eyes and then goes on to touch something else such as a doorknob,” he explained. “Those suffering from conjunctivitis should separate their towels, pillows and beds from others,” he suggested.

Niazi advised the patients suffering from conjunctivitis to consult a doctor immediately and “since the eyes are a very sensitive part of the body, it is not recommended to take eye medicine or its dosage from anyone other than a qualified doctor”.

“After being affected by conjunctivitis, isolation from other members of the home stops the spread of the disease,” he said.

‘Seek medical attention’

Meanwhile, another eye specialist has advised the citizens to follow precautionary measures amid rising cases of pink eye infection in the country and recommended people seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms such as redness, itching, excessive tearing or a discharge from the eye, to prevent further spread of the infection.

Talking to a private news channel, ophthalmologist Dr Faisal Ayaz said the Punjab government has issued an advisory in the wake of the viral conjunctivitis outbreak, adding that people exposed to sunlight and dust for longer periods are being affected by conjunctivitis.

He further advised that the public should avoid direct exposure to sunlight unless necessary, especially during peak heat hours of 10am to 2pm. “People should maintain good personal hygiene by frequently washing their hands,” he said.

He stressed that people should not take over-the-counter medications and consult an eye specialist in case symptoms of conjunctivitis show up.

‘Avoid eye makeup’

On the other hand, Dr Inamul Haq Khan, Consultant Eye Surgeon at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, said patients should avoid eye makeup and the use of contact lenses until the condition goes away.

“Those who have conjunctivitis in one eye should avoid touching both eyes with the same cloth to reduce the risk of spreading the condition from one eye to the other,” he said.

Patients with anxiety need more caution than treatment, he said, adding that one of the reasons for the spread of this disease is more than usual rains.

Dr Khan said at present, many people are affected in Karachi and Lahore, while it is also becoming more common in the twin cities.

Children prone to virus

It is an infection and affects children more because they have low immunity, he said. “Since children are not careful, they quickly attract infection, which causes the eyes to swell, and affected people experience swelling in their eyes.”

There may be separate medicines for children and adults, but unnecessary use of antibiotic drops can damage the cornea, and recovery of the eye may take up to six months, he said. He underlined that the antibiotic eye drops were harmful to the cornea.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2023.