Outbreak of pinkeye
Conjunctivitis cases continue to rise in Lahore and Punjab. More than 15 thousand new cases have been reported across the province. Lahore reported 916 new conjunctivitis cases, Bahawalpur reported 3,324, Multan 1,217, Faisalabad 1,827 and Rawalpindi reported 242 new cases. according to a report issued by Punjab’s primary and secondary healthcare department, as many as 379,690 cases of eye infection were have been reported across 36 districts of Punjab.
Experts on Tuesday stressed public awareness for ‘conjunctivitis’, commonly known as pink-eye allergy, and advised people to avoid indiscriminate use of antibiotics or steroids, as it may complicate the ailment or even damage the cornea of the eye. Eye specialist Dr. Jabaar Shams while talking to APP, expressed his serious concern over the increased number of conjunctivitis patients in several hospitals of Punjab including Sargodha as well and said that pink-eye virus can be caused by viral and bacterial infections or allergies. Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis include redness, streaking, swelling, itching, or burning in the eyes, he added.
LRBT specialists said that infected individuals should be advised to use the prescribed eye drops and clean their eyes with tissues, adding, that infected persons should apply cold water to the infected eyes to provide some respite from the discomfort. Early precautionary measures were crucial to prevent the further spread of the disease, he advised. He said due to a lack of awareness drives, every year thousands of cases of conjunctivitis are reported in hospitals across Pakistan.
Pinkeye is a common and self-limiting condition that affects the lining of the eyelid and eyeball, adding that it is treatable at any stage.
The infection can easily spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, close contact with infected people, and even through conversations. He advised patients to exercise extreme caution. The people with pinkeye should wear black glasses, separate their bedding and utensils immediately.
Health experts have advised to maintain proper eye hygiene, including regular washing with clean water, protection from intense sunlight and shielding from dust and dirt. individuals with eye infections should keep their clothing and towels separate from those of others to prevent the potential transmission.
