Karnataka recorded over 40,000 cases of conjunctivitis between July 25 and August 4: Health dept data

The health department on July 29 set up a special unit at the civil hospital in Dharwad to treat cases of conjunctivitis. The district has recorded 1,615 cases in the same period.

Dr Anand Balasubramaniam, Consultant-Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Services, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “With the increasing awareness about the disease, cases of conjunctivitis have reduced slightly compared to last month. However, we should always be alert and vigilant as this is a contagious disease and should continue to follow the necessary precautionary steps.”

He added, “Do not ignore any ocular symptoms, including redness, itching and foreign body sensation in the eye. To prevent the disease from spreading, it is important to practice regular hand washing and avoid touching your eyes, especially for children. If infected, isolate yourself at home, refrain from sharing towels/ handkerchiefs and do laundry separately. Consult an ophthalmologist immediately instead of using over-the-counter medication. Early treatment can reduce corneal involvement and potential complications affecting vision.”

Last week six doctors at the state-run Minto Eye Hospital in Bengaluru were infected with conjunctivitis.

The common symptoms of the disease are redness and watery eyes with mild discharge. Patients may also experience pain and discomfort due to the swelling of the eyes and eyelids.