Teary winter: Conjuctivitis saunters in with the cold

HYDERABAD:

Conjuctivitis is characterised by itching and watering of eyes and affects people of all ages, according to Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, an assistant professor the ISRA University Hospital, on Monday.

He explained that the condition occurs when, conjunctiva, a thin and transparent layer which covers the surface of the inner eyelid gets inflamed or infected.

Ahmed said that it can be caused by common allergens, like pollen from trees, grass, weeds and moulds, air pollution, smoke, animal skin, fur and bodily secretions such as saliva, perfumes and medicated skin products. Dr Ahmed suggested that people with conjuctivitis bathe thier eyes with a cloth soaked in cold water or use eye drops depending on the type of conjunctivitis.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2011.