Chennai is witnessing a rise in conjunctivitis (“pink eye” or “Madras eye”) cases, with hospitals reporting 8 to 10 new patients daily. This highly contagious infection spreads through direct contact, contaminated surfaces and airborne droplets. Symptoms include red, itchy, watery eyes, inflammation, and light sensitivity. Though usually mild and treatable, early medical care is essential to prevent complications and limit community spread. Preventive steps include frequent handwashing, avoiding face-touching, not sharing personal items, disinfecting surfaces, and limiting exposure to public pools. Infected individuals should isolate, maintain hygiene, and avoid contact lenses or makeup. With timely treatment and precautions, most people recover quickly without long-term eye damage.
Chennai hospitals have seen an increase in Conjunctivitis cases in recent days. Outpatient departments across the city are now treating 8 to 10 new cases of conjunctivitis every day. Concerns are rising about the potential for rapid spread in densely populated zones in the city. Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection and is known to spread rapidly when the season changes from monsoon to summer. Affected persons have symptoms like irritated, inflamed eyes, redness, constant watery discharge from the eyes, itchiness and sensitivity to light. Conjunctivitis is generally mild, but it is crucial to get treatment early so that the disease doesn’t spread within the community. If you or someone in your family has red, itchy or watery eyes, visit the doctor immediately.
Conjunctivitis, also informally called “pink eye” or “Madras eye”, is inflammation of the conjunctiva (a thin, transparent membrane covering the whites of your eyes). The conjunctiva becomes swollen, making the blood vessels visible. Often, conjunctivitis will begin in one eye and spread to the other eye. It spreads through the watery fluids leaking from an infected person’s eye, so it is crucial to follow good hygiene practices. Anyone can get conjunctivitis – It spreads quickly among both children and adults. However, conjunctivitis is also easy to treat. Most people respond well to treatment, recovering quickly and with no permanent damage to their eyes. Leaving it untreated can be dangerous, resulting in corneal ulcers or permanent loss of vision.
To control the surge of conjunctivitis cases, we need to understand how it spreads. Conjunctivitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It can spread from person to person through direct contact. Avoid shaking hands with conjunctivitis patients and then touching your face. Pathogens from their hands can enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth and infect you. Conjunctivitis can also spread through contaminated surfaces. Surfaces the patient touches often should be sanitised frequently. Airborne droplets, when the patient sneezes, are also a mode of spread. Public swimming pools are another major mode of transmission of Conjunctivitis. An infected person’s tears can easily mix into the water and affect the others in the pool.
Even if you don’t think you are at an immediate risk of conjunctivitis, take these precautions:
– Wash your hands often. Remember your Covid training – Use soap and water, scrubbing your hands for about 20 seconds and wash off thoroughly.
– Don’t touch your face. If your eyes are watering, use a tissue to wipe it carefully, without directly touching your tears with your fingers. Throw the tissue in a closed dustbin and then sanitise your hands.
– Don’t share personal items like glasses, towels, pillows, makeup or eye drops. These objects are close to your eye and can become contaminated easily.
– Disinfect surfaces in your house regularly. Clean doorknobs, countertops and phones regularly. Make sure you also wash towels and bedding often.
– If you wear reusable contact lenses, switch to disposable contacts or glasses for a while. If you have any redness or irritation, avoid contact lenses altogether and just use your glasses.
– Avoid swimming pools, especially public pools and community pools.
– Kids are prone to infections, as they are less mindful of personal hygiene. Remind your kids regularly about not touching their eyes and face. Inculcate a practice of washing hands frequently. Educate them about conjunctivitis and how to prevent spread.
– Throw away any expired eye drops, eye makeup or contact lenses in your home.
If you have any redness or itchiness in your eyes, go to the doctor – Do not try any home remedies, even if you think your case is mild. Your doctor will diagnose your condition and may collect a swab sample from your eye. This is to identify the cause of the infection to provide the right treatment. Viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis are treated differently. Viral conjunctivitis tends to be mild and may not need antiviral treatment, except in cases of shingles, chickenpox, herpes simplex or an STI. For bacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments, eyedrops, or pills.
To contain the spread and heal without any complications, take the following measures during recovery:
– You can recover at home, and do not need a hospital stay. However, it is advised to isolate yourself in a room and avoid contact with family members or friends during your recovery.
– Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes. If you do it accidentally, wash your hands immediately.
– Don’t share towels or pillows with others. The patient’s linens should be washed in hot water with a disinfectant.
– Don’t wear contact lenses or eye makeup until your infection has healed. They can irritate the conjunctiva and make inflammation worse.
– Use a warm compress if your eyes are very painful.
– If your eyes feel sensitive to bright lights, wear sunglasses to protect them. Wearing sunglasses also helps patients avoid touching their eyes.
Try to use your left hand more. Right-handed people tend to unconsciously touch their eyes with their right hand.
How do I know if I have conjunctivitis or just eye irritation?
If you have persistent redness, watery discharge, itching, and light sensitivity, it’s likely conjunctivitis. Simple irritation usually settles quickly, but infections tend to worsen or spread to the other eye.
Is conjunctivitis spreading rapidly in Chennai right now?
Yes, doctors are seeing a rise in cases, especially during seasonal changes. Since it spreads easily through contact and surfaces, early precautions can prevent it from affecting your family.
How long is conjunctivitis contagious?
Most cases are contagious for 3 to 7 days, sometimes longer. You can spread it as long as symptoms like watering and discharge are present, so hygiene and isolation are important.
Can I go to work or school if I have conjunctivitis?
It’s better to stay home for a few days. This reduces the risk of spreading infection to others and helps your eyes recover faster with proper rest and care.
What is the fastest way to recover from conjunctivitis?
Follow your doctor’s treatment, avoid touching your eyes, maintain strict hygiene, and stop using contact lenses or makeup. Most patients recover within a few days with proper care.
Should I use home remedies or eye drops on my own?
No, self-treatment can worsen the condition. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis require different approaches, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis before using any medication.
Can conjunctivitis damage my eyes permanently?
In most cases, no. But if left untreated or if severe, it can lead to complications like corneal damage. Early medical care ensures safe recovery without long-term issues.
When should I see a doctor for red eyes?
If redness, pain, discharge, or light sensitivity lasts more than a day or worsens, consult a doctor immediately. Early treatment helps prevent spread and speeds up recovery.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
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