‘Madras Eye’ infection among adults no more seasonal, caution doctors

Conjunctivitis or Madras Eye, as it is popularly known, is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball.

At the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore, the doctors see as many as 20 to 25 patients with conjunctivitis or Madras Eye every day. Dr K Sridhar, director of the centre, says, “Earlier, we saw such high number of cases at the start of the rainy season, but now it is all through the year.” 

Dr Arulmozhi Varman of Uma Eye Hospital attributes the consistent prevalence to the change in patterns of the virus. “Now, it is endemic throughout the year unlike 10 years ago. This is because the organisms change and adapt continuously, causing a behavioural change,” he says. 

Dr Varman adds that the other reasons include pollution, increasing congestion and recirculation of polluted air in air conditioned rooms. 

“As a result, though, there is peak and trough, the disease never disappears even for a short span. The gap between the up and down is almost equal. For the last couple of months, we have been seeing an increase in the number,” he adds. 

At Fortis Malar Hospital, Dr Radhimalar Anand, consultant, ophthalmologist, says that she sees as many as nine to ten patients every week. “These are adults and they end up spreading the diseases among their family members,” she says. 

However, she attributes the same to the presence of bacteria as well. “And, when your immunity is down due to cold or fever, there are more chances of contracting the disease. Virus or bacteria spread due to personal contact. That’s why I insist on personal hygiene among patients and tell them not to share even pens when they have conjunctivitis,” she says. 

Dr Sridhar says that most of the patients are adults, who try self-medication and worsen the condition, before approaching a specialist. “They try cheap medication, going by traditional tips or use their own knowledge of the disease. These only end up aggravating the condition,” he adds.