Ludhiana, September 21
The sudden change in weather has led to a spurt in the number of cases of viral conjunctivitis, commonly called eye flu, in several parts of the city. During the past few days, 15 to 20 per cent of OPD patients in all major hospitals are suffering with this problem. The highly contagious viral infection in the eye presents itself with symptoms like redness of eyes, irritation and watery discharge.

Dr G.S. Bajwa, head of ophthalmology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said: “This is a common viral infection of the eye which is easily transmitted from one person to another. Most common mode of spread is by direct contact like hand shaking, sharing of towels, cosmetics or even the same bottle of eye drops.”

Even though this condition usually has a self-limiting course and recovers by itself within five to seven days, the lack of awareness and necessary preventive steps could lead to many other complications as a result of which the disease might worsen and sometimes patient could end up in some permanent decrease in vision, he remarked.

Sounding a word of caution against self-medication to get relief from viral conjunctivitis, Dr Harminder Singh, eye specialist, Krishna Hospital, said a majority of patients reporting to the OPD are already using some form of eye drops which they get either from some quack or local drug store which can lead to variable amount of permanent visual loss.

Dr Harminder Singh stressed upon that the problem of self-medication needed to be addressed with urgency and patients be cautioned against its adverse effects. 

Ludhiana, September 21
PN Passi, honorary secretary, the Punjab Softball Association, said the ninth edition of the Punjab State Softball Championship for sub- junior boys and girls will be held here at Ramgarhia Education Complex, Miller Ganj, from September 24 to 26. The players born on or after January 1, 1993 are eligible to take part in this championship.

The interested teams have been advised to submit roaster form along with age proof certificates with the secretary, one day before the commencement of the tournament.