INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
MUMBAI: As the city grapples with the dual challenges of rain and rising infections, it is now confronted with a staggering 15-20% surge in
conjunctivitis cases among children and adults
Mumbai is not alone though, as Delhi and several other cities are reporting a huge surge in cases of pink eye
According to doctors, a majority of these cases are attributed to viral conjunctivitis caused by the adenovirus, which seems to affect
children more than adults
During a webinar held on Wednesday that included ophthalmologists from various Indian cities such as Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, it was
observed that certain regions are experiencing conjunctivitis cases at an epidemic level
Although doctors in Mumbai did not explicitly use the term epidemic, they acknowledged a definite rise in the incidence of cases
There has been a 10% to 15% increase in conjunctivitis cases compared with other seasons, said Dr Madhavi Jeste, consultant ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologist Dr Arjun Ahuja also confirmed an increase in cases he is treating, with up to 30 at a government hospital's outpatient
department where he works
"It is mostly viral and self-resolving, but complications can be expected if the virus penetrates the cornea," he said
Ahuja said the rise is certainly due to adenoviral conjunctivitis as cases are often associated with fever, cold, runny nose and fatigue
Experts said up to 40% of the affected are children
Dr Shakuntala Prabhhu, medical director at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital, reported an increased incidence of "pink eye" in children, with nearly
15-20 cases per day, mostly viral and often accompanied by cough and cold symptoms for the past 2-3 weeks
Healthcare workers are also among the affected groups, she said
Dr Nikhil Sardar, a consultant ophthalmologist at Nanavati Hospital, said during monsoon, conjunctivitis cases increase significantly due
to high humidity that favours viral growth
He emphasised most patients present with symptoms like redness, swelling, itching, or watery eyes; severe cases causing corneal damage are
"We have observed a substantial rise," he said
Dr Mihir Shah, an internal medicine expert from Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, said while they haven't noticed complications in most cases,
there is evidence of patients requiring medication for slightly longer duration
Dr Jeste said a majority cases can be treated with oral medicines
She warned some viral infections can progress to bacterial infections
Dr Prabhu said while conjunctivitis is not worrisome in most cases and patients get better in 2-3 days, parents should not send the child to