Conjunctivitis cases on rise

Ophthalmologists have advised that people with redness and discomfort in eyes should consult a doctor immediately. The number of people coming with conjunctivitis still remains the same.

Sankara Eye Hospitals, which received nearly 350 people since September 10, received 35 people with the infection on Tuesday alone. Similarly, Dr M C Modi Charitable Eye Hospital treated about 15 patients.

People who already had conjunctivitis should also be cautious. “The viral infection can remit and relapse again. Usually, a person who has conjunctivitis in one eye will get the infection in other eye too,” said Dr Kaushik Murali, consultant ophthalmologist, Sankara Eye Hospitals. He said in many cases almost all family members are infected by conjunctivitis.

Dr Elankumaran of Navshakti Nethralaya said a person who gets conjunctivitis has 2-11 days incubation period, which means, swelling and redness do not show during this period and he/she could pass the infection to someone.