Conjunctivitis cases drop, fears of resurge still exist

Daily caseload at Civil Hospital is 100 and 60 at JPMC

KARACHI:

Ophthalmologists have reported a drop in conjunctivitis cases in the metropolitan city, but say that fears of a potential resurge of the infection persist. Currently, the daily caseload of conjunctivitis is 100 at the Civil Hospital, and 60 at JPMC.

Dr Haris, Additional Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, said that due to the ongoing epidemic, Dr Khalid Sheikh, the medical superintendent of the hospital, has ensured the availability of necessary medicines. “Although there has been a decline in cases, approximately 100 cases are still reported daily, necessitating continued vigilance,” he told The Express Tribune.

Dr Pawan Kumar and Dr Sabir Hussain, from the ophthalmology department at JPMC, mentioned that conjunctivitis can easily spread through contact with infected individuals. Transmission occurs by sharing personal items like towels, soaps and tissues.

Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include itching, inflammation, redness, and excessive watery discharge from the eyes. In the initial days of infection, the discomfort is often so severe that individuals affected may be compelled to rub their eyes. However, after approximately four days, the discomfort and tearing subside.

They said that it is advisable to avoid rubbing the eyes during the infection. If irritation is severe, they recommend rinsing the eyes with cold water for faster healing. Typically, the virus responsible for pink eye disappears within eight to ten days.

The ophthalmologists advised using sunglasses to shield the eyes from bright light during an infection. They rejected the misconception that conjunctivitis spreads by merely looking into the eyes of an infected person.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2023.