With eye flu cases on the rise, doctors say people have become susceptible to viral infections

North Eastern states, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat record the maximum number of such cases.

North Eastern states, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat record the maximum number of such cases.

(Dr) Jeewan Singh Titiyal, Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of RP Eye Center at AIIMS (Delhi) said, “There is an outbreak-like case of conjunctivitis or eye flu this year. At AIIMS, we are seeing significant increases in cases and more than 100 patients per the day. This is a viral infection and very common in India because this year we had extreme rains and floods, humid conditions and hygiene levels have also gone down. What needs to be done is for people to wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes. Wear protective glasses if you are infected, as this slows down the transmission of the virus. It is a self-limiting disease that goes away easily over a few days, but you should consult an ophthalmologist if you have itching and redness in the eyes.”

(Dr) Jeewan Singh Titiyal, Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of RP Eye Center at AIIMS (Delhi) said, “There is an outbreak-like case of conjunctivitis or eye flu this year. At AIIMS, we are seeing significant increases in cases and more than 100 patients per the day. This is a viral infection and very common in India because this year we had extreme rains and floods, humid conditions and hygiene levels have also gone down. What needs to be done is for people to wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes. Wear protective glasses if you are infected, as this slows down the transmission of the virus. It is a self-limiting disease that goes away easily over a few days, but you should consult an ophthalmologist if you have itching and redness in the eyes.”

“We need to educate people, especially school children, about viral infections and what precautions to follow. These infections are very common. For example – conjunctivitis is not new and has occurred. Health, sanitation, crowded areas and weather and climate conditions are some of the factors. There is a sudden spurt of cases and formation of clusters in several places. We have collected a few samples locally and are examining them,” said a senior researcher at the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

“We need to educate people, especially school children, about viral infections and what precautions to follow. These infections are very common. For example – conjunctivitis is not new and has occurred. Health, sanitation, crowded areas and weather and climate conditions are some of the factors. There is a sudden spurt of cases and formation of clusters in several places. We have collected a few samples locally and are examining them,” said a senior researcher at the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Doctors say that almost every household gets infected. Therefore, people must follow proper hygiene while going out. They said that after the Covid pandemic, the human body has become susceptible to all kinds of viral infection.

Doctors say that almost every household gets infected. Therefore, people must follow proper hygiene while going out. They said that after the Covid pandemic, the human body has become susceptible to all kinds of viral infection.

Dr. Sanjiv Gupta, Director and Sr Eye Surgeon, at Care Centre, New Delhi said that on an average they observe 10-15 conjunctivitis patients daily. “During the previous 2-3 years, people took more precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which could have helped reduce the spread of conjunctivitis. It is important to note that conjunctivitis is typically self-resolving and rarely causes permanent damage to the eye. But in some cases the cornea can be affected, but this can be treated then.”

Dr. Sanjiv Gupta, Director and Sr Eye Surgeon, at Care Centre, New Delhi said that on an average they observe 10-15 conjunctivitis patients daily. “During the previous 2-3 years, people took more precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which could have helped reduce the spread of conjunctivitis. It is important to note that conjunctivitis is typically self-resolving and rarely causes permanent damage to the eye. But in some cases the cornea can be affected, but this can be treated then.”