There has been a spurt in the number of conjunctivitis cases over the last fortnight and some city hospitals are receiving nearly 30 cases a day. Doctors, who said an outbreak during monsoon is not unusual, pointed out that many patients are reporting with a virulent form of conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye’, is an inflammation of a thin transparent membrane covering the eyeball called conjunctiva .The symptoms include redness, watering and mild discharge, apart from swelling of the eyes and eyelids. Apart from pain and discomfort, patients have a pricking sensation each time they blink.
At the State-run Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, two out of every ten patients seen in the outpatient department (OPD) have conjunctivitis. Hospital Director B. L. Sujatha Rathod said the cases have increased over the last week. The hospital sees over 600 patients in the OPD everyday.
