Viral conjunctivitis: Taking care of your eyes in monsoon!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: With monsoon already set in, now that chances of catching infections are high because of high water content in the air. This is because many germs thrive and grow in high water content areas. Therefore, understanding all about how infections spread during the monsoons will help you well equipped to keep yourself and your family healthy during the rainy season.

Viral conjunctivitis or pink eyes as refereed in common language flares up in public during the onset of monsoon. According to Dr Girija Suresh, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital Mulund, the infection rate in Mumbai at this point is so high that he's getting an average of 25 new patients every week who have been detected with Viral conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis is a common type of pink eye that is highly contagious and is caused because of contact. It also can accompany common viral upper respiratory infections such as measles, the flu or the common cold.

The infection usually lasts 7-8 days, it is strongly advised that in case of detection, one should consult a doctor and avail help at the earliest.

Signs and Symptoms

• Typically the infection starts in one eye and quickly spreads to the other eye.
• It is a myth that conjunctivitis is caused due to close contact, the virus is airborne and can be cause by being around an infected person
• The third through the fifth days of the infection are the worst.
• Redness or swelling of the white of the eye or inside the eyelids

• Increased amount of tears
• White, yellow or green eye discharge
• Itchy, irritated, and/or burning eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Gritty feeling in the eye
• Crusting of the eyelids or lashes

Dr Girija Suresh also suggests some tops dos and don’ts to prevent viral conjunctivitis:

Dos

• Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or sanitizer should be ensured by patients and everybody else around them.
• To wipe eyes, use tissue paper and dispose of it properly in the dustbin.
• Wear sunglasses to avoid glare and decrease accidental eye contact with fingers.
• Antibiotic and anti inflammatory eye drops to be used as prescribed by eye specialist-preferably have a separate set of eye drops for each eye.
• One has to keep the toileteries and personal belongings seperate.

Don’ts

• Do not rub your eyes
• Do not share eye drops -it can cause cross contamination.
• Do not use steroid eye drops or over the counter medicines from chemist without seeing an Ophthalmologist.
• Keep separate the toilet and wash area, clothes and other items of contact from the infected person in the family.
• Keep the personal hygiene objects separate from the infected person.

So, follow these tips to keep viral conjunctivitis and other eye infections at bay.