KARACHI, Aug 5: Karachiites are still awaiting onset of the monsoon season however are experiencing the associated health conditions including conjunctivitis, diarrhoeal episodes and skin infections.

Conjunctivitis, a condition peculiar to rainy season is particularly registered to be reported at eye departments of different hospitals.

Prof Idrees Adhi, Ophthalmology Department, Civil Hospital, Karachi on Friday, said that conjunctivitis, caused due to a virus though largely a self limiting condition is often turned serious due to indiscriminate use of steroid-based eye drops.

What people need to realize is that due consideration towards hygiene, cleanliness and avoiding sharing of towels as well as other belongings including eye drops apart from close personal contact could help absolute recovery in a few days time.

Conjunctivitis under no condition affects the vision but is manifested through redness of eyes and itching hence there is no need for any medication without consulting any qualified doctor,” Prof Adhi stressed but regretted that the very fact was largely overlooked.

According to him, since these steroid-based eye drops, particularly rosewater offer immediate relief, hence patients tend to overlook possible complication lest it turns very serious.

He in this context particularly referred to increased possibility of Glaucoma. Elaborating his stance, he referred to studies showing that 30 per cent of those using the steroid-based eye drops respond abnormally and their eye pressures registers marked surge.

Although all 30 per cent do not suffer from glaucoma but five per cent of them do as pressure continues to rise silently consequently leading to the condition manifested through sudden but severe pain and ultimately vision loss, Prof Adhi elaborated.

To a query, he said at times doctors may prescribe antibiotics to those suffering from conjunctivitis which though do not protect against virus but do stop against other complications.

Prof Adhi particularly advised parents not to send their children suffering from conjunctivitis to schools for a week or so.—APP