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 at S L Raheja Hospital. 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 rare. “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 school.
