KARACHI, Sept 5: Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye or bloodshot eyes, has taken the shape of an epidemic in Karachi as increasing numbers of patients have been reporting with this problem at various private and public health care facilities. Doctors have advised people to take preventive measures and not to resort to self-medication to avoid permanent damage to the vision.
About 10 to 12 cases are being reported daily at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the Civil Hospital, respectively.
Dr Sharjeel Sultan, of the JPMC’s eye department, believed the figures were just tip of the iceberg, arguing that the numbers could be much higher since most of such cases were being reported at private clinics. Giving reason, he said people usually considered conjunctivitis a minor problem. Dr Sultan explained that the problem was an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids). “The particular form of conjunctivitis spreading in the city these days is called “Adenoviral Conjunctivitis” which occurs almost every year. During the past two weeks, 50 to 60 per cent of all patients at the JPMC’s eye department are treated for this problem.”
The viral infection presented itself with a flu-like illness while other symptoms included acute pain, redness, itching, foreign body sensation and watery or mucoid discharge, he stated.
“It’s a highly contagious viral disease that spreads fast and easily. The occurrence of the infection is linked to a change in weather conditions. The mode of transmission is mostly a direct contact with the eye secretions of the infected person and then touching one’s own eyes or respiratory droplets. It tends to affect people of all age groups,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association’s Secretary General, Dr Qaiser Sajjad, has said that this infection has already taken the shape of an epidemic. The most dangerous aspect of this, he said, was self-medication which could cause permanent damage to the eye. “There is a rampant use of Betnesol drops. This potent steroid has its own adverse reactions. If the specific infection for which Betnesol is applied is not present, this can cause serious complications or permanent loss of vision and there are such reported cases. Use of rosewater should also be avoided since markets are flooded with spurious products by the name of rosewater,” he said.
About treatment, the doctors said that the viral infection was self-limiting and would not last more than a week. However, the best strategy, according to Dr Sultan, is to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible as the problem could be some other serious form of infections, for instance corneal inflammation.
“There is no specific treatment and the doctors would give mild antibiotics and steroids, depending upon the severity of the infection, to prevent any secondary infection,” they said.