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KATHMANDU, May 31: Eye infection cases are rising as temperatures climb with the onset of summer. Dr Kamal Bahadur Khadka, former director and ophthalmologist at Nepal Eye Hospital, said more patients have been visiting the hospital with eye infections since the weather turned hotter.
"We started seeing a spike in eye infections from the month of Jestha (mid-May)," said Dr. Khadka. He added that Nepal Eye Hospital now treats an average of 50 to 60 patients daily for this condition.
Dr Ranju Sitaula of the BP Koirala Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences said seasonal changes or other factors might be driving the increase. She noted that eye infections now appear throughout the year, although sporadically. According to her, the institute currently treats about 30 such patients daily.
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On average, around 700 patients visit the outpatient department of Nepal Eye Hospital each day, while about 400 seek treatment at the BP Koirala Institute.
Dr Sirjana Adhikari, an ophthalmologist at Tilganga Eye Hospital, said that only a few patients with eye infections are visiting the hospital sporadically.
According to doctors, the bacteria Staphylococcus, which causes eye infections, becomes active during the summer. Since the hot weather favors the growth of this bacteria, cases tend to rise from Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) to Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September). "By Bhadra, the infection could surge and become up to three times more severe than it is now," she said.
The bacteria spread the infection by entering the eye through various means-such as using towels or clothes belonging to an infected person or through close contact with them. In the early stage, the infection causes eye itching, redness, irritation or pain, and stickiness upon waking. As the infection progresses, the symptoms worsen, leading to continuous discharge, intense redness, and eye pain.
Doctors urge patients to visit a hospital and take medication only under the guidance of an eye specialist as soon as these symptoms appear. If patients delay treatment, the bacteria can create ulcers on the cornea. "If the ulcer lingers, it can leave scars and may even cause permanent vision loss," said Dr Khadka.
Doctors also caution against self-medicating. They say inappropriate drug use can aggravate the infection, harm the cornea, and pose a risk to vision. They strongly advise patients not to ignore symptoms of eye infections. In rural or remote areas where people may not have access to doctors, Dr Khadka recommends rinsing the eyes 10 to 12 times a day to prevent bacterial buildup.
