With countrymen being struck by seasonal diseases like dengue, pink eye and respiratory congestion during changing weather every year, there is a dire for a comprehensive precautionary measures plan to avert these diseases.
Since, most people take these diseases as well as strictures issued by authorities as casual, some kind of penalizing mechanism for the violators must be there to mitigate the spread of these diseases. Moreover, controlling pollution and keeping vicinities cleaner and hygienic was equally important to stop these diseases from becoming epidemics as seen in the case of Pink Eye disease which affected over 130,000 citizens across Punjab just in one month. The virus and bacteria causing this disease become active with the weather changing from summer to monsoon and then autumn and vice versa, hitting volleys of people. Spreading almost every year on a small scale, the Pink Eye disease this year emerged like an epidemic with Bahawalpur as the most affected district in Punjab and Lahore and Rawalpindi districts also experiencing a critical situation. Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by common viruses surfacing with common cold or adenoviruses, said Professor Dr. Arshad. It can easily spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects and can be associated with respiratory infections or a sore throat. He said there are four main types of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): viral, bacterial, allergic and irritant. Viral conjunctivitis usually affects both the eyes and causes watery discharge, redness, itching and a gritty feeling in eyes. The renowned eye specialist further stated, It may also cause swollen lymph nodes near ears or throat and typically resolves on its own within one to two weeks.
Dr Arshad said, the Pink Eye infection can affect people of all ages and occurs when the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the white part of the eyes and the inner surface of the eyelids, becomes inflamed or infected. This causes the blood vessels in the eyes to become more visible, giving them a pink or reddish appearance. For bacterial conjunctivitis, he stated, it usually stems from Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria that enter the eyes through direct contact with infected hands or daily use objects. Bacterial conjunctivitis requires antibiotic treatment to clear the infection and prevent further eye damage.
In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, Dr Arshad said, it occurs in response to allergens like pollen, dust or pet dander that irritate eyes, particularly in people with a history of allergies or asthma. Managing allergic conjunctivitis involves avoiding allergen exposure and using antihistamines or anti-inflammatory eye drops, he said. Irritant conjunctivitis caused by exposure to smoke, smog or chemicals can damage the eyes surface due to foreign bodies like sand or dirt. The most common cure for this disease, he explained, was flushing the irritant from the eyes with clean water or saline solution and using lubricating eye drops.
