Little rainfall, but conjunctivitis cases on the rise

City doctors have reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from conjunctivitis, swelling or inflammation due to infection of the membrane lining the eyelids.

City doctors have reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from conjunctivitis, swelling or inflammation due to infection of the membrane lining the eyelids.

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Lower temperature and increased humidity have resulted in a spurt of conjunctivitis cases, said doctors. "Humid weather is conducive to the growth of the virus," said Dr Darshan Chudgar, ophthalmologist, Kohinoor Hospital, Kurla, adding that he was treating around 10 patients every day compared to two to three cases last month.

In the past week, JJ hospital's ophthalmology department has treated more than 40 patients. "We see many patients who have used steroid eye drops, which worsens their condition," said Dr Ragini Parekh, head of ophthalmology department.

Dr Himanshu Mehta, ophthalmologist, Vission Eye Center, Juhu, said people using lenses should be careful as using infected lenses could result in keratits a condition wherein the cornea gets infected or stained affecting the vision.