Conjunctivitis: Eye agony of summer

BANGALORE: The rising temperature and scorching heat  not only brings in an array of summer ailments and allergies but it has also become a common cause for the spurt in conjunctivitis cases in the city.City-based ophthalmologists says that during such weather conditions, which is combination of heat and humidity, one must be careful about the eye problems.Heat and humid weather causes irritation and itching which leads to swollen eyes. Besides, one more significant reason attributed to the increase in the viral eye infection cases, is the season of mango which is also a very common cause increased conjunctivitis cases. "The peak of conjunctivitis is witnessed during the mango season as the season helps the virus multiply and spread faster during this period," says Dr Bhujang Shetty, Director, Narayana Nethralaya.Commonly known as Pink eye or Madras eye, Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. It is a swelling of the outer level of the eye and the top part of the inner eyelid. Dr Shetty further says that though this it is a self-limiting disease, in exceptional cases, it can become a severe infection. "In such cases, doctors need to be consulted immediately," he says. Ophthalmologists say symptoms like  blurred vision, eye pain, sensitivity, redness in the eyes, increased tearing and crusts on the eyelid overnight should not be ignored during this season.Dr Kaushik Murali, paediatric ophthalmologist, Sankara Eye Hospital asserts says, "The dry heat increases the ambient dust and combined with increased pollution and pollen predispose to allergic conjunctivitis which causes marked irritation and tearing. Most causes of conjunctivitis are benign, with a self-limited process. However, depending on the immune status of the patient, conjunctivitis can progress to increasingly severe and sight-threatening infections." Emphasising on good hygiene practices, Ophthalmologists maintain that the best way to stop the spread of infective conjunctivitis is to thoroughly wash your hands after touching or treating your infected eyes and maintaining good personal hygiene.