Eye infections spike, docs say it’s monsoon hazard
Times of India | 11 July 2024
Kolkata: Cases of eye infection are steadily climbing after the onset of monsoon in the state. The prevalence of conjunctivitis is the highest among these infections. Since it is still months before monsoon exits, doctors apprehend a further rise in eye infections.
“Every day we are treating 8 to 10 patients, either for primary state of conjunctivitis or its advance stage.While adults can cope better with the inflammation, blurry vision and the pain makes it tougher for younger children and the senior citizens to bear with. It is also challenging for regular office goers,” said ophthalmologist Aditya Pradhan, consultant in cornea, external diseases and cataract at Disha Eye Hospitals.
According to the eye specialty hospital, the most common case of eye infection at its branches is conjunctivitis .“The condition is self-limiting and goes away in about two weeks,” said ophthalmologist Jayangshu Sengupta of Priyamvada Birla Aravind Eye Hospital.
Rudra Prasad Ghosh, ophthalmology consultant at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur said out of all the patients he catered to last week, about 20 to 25% had conjunctivitis. “This condition affects people of all ages and genders, especially those who are frequently exposed to external environments,,” he added.
Doctors said as a preventive measure, the infected must be kept in isolation and resort to proper hygiene measures. “We are seeing cases primarily in men aged between 40 and 45 years. This age group is particularly vulnerable,” said Madhusmita Behera, senior consultant at the department of cataract, orbit, and Oculoplastic Surgery of Rotary Techno Nethralaya.