The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Keep an eye on conjunctivitis

CONJUNCTIVITIS is more common in the monsoon months than during the rest of the year. Also known by the descriptive name “pink-eye”, it is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid. The symptoms are redness in the white of the eyes, red and swollen eyelids, lots of teas and sensitivity to light. There may be discharge that causes the eye-lids to stick together during sleep. In the early stages, your eyes may burn or itch and may feel as if there is something in them. The eye may be glued shut when you wake up in the morning. Most of cases of simple conjunctivitis last from five to seven days.

Conjuctivitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an injury to the eye, or a reaction to fumes, smoke or pollution. Allergic conjunctivitis is most often caused by pollen, and is therefore is usually a seasonal reaction. The overwhelming majority of cases of conjunctivitis are caused by viruses, although in the rare cases a bacterial infection may be responsible. Viruses and bacteria may be rubbed into the eye or may travel from an infection in the nose up through a tear duct and into the eye. The infection can be transmitted from one person to another.

Dr Anil Dheer

Prevention

- Do not share towels, handkerchiefs, or washcloths with an infected person.

- Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes.

- Wash your hands thoroughly after treating “pink eye”.

- Avoid exposure to known eye irritants, such as dust fumes, sprays, cigarette, smoke, pollution.

- If a chemical or object gets into your eye, immediately flush it with water.

- Be sure the dropper is clean and does not touch the eye, eyelid or any surface. Eye drops are washed out by normal tearing, so they will need to be replaced at least three times a day.

- Eat plenty of green and yellow vegetables and fruits, which are high in fibre and rich in vitamin A and C.

- During rainy season everybody should use rose water (one drop) morning and evening.

- If your symptoms do not respond within four to five days, consult your doctor.

- Those using contact lenses should avoid them when having conjuctivitis as it could aggravate the problem.

The best way to avoid spreading conjunctivitis to the other eye is to use the prescribed antibiotic drops in the non-affected eye, too.

SPORTS

Kila Raipur Academy win
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 17
Kila Raipur Academy defeated the B Baker Club 2-1 and registered its second consecutive victory in the First PAU Gold Cup Six-a-Side Hockey League Tournament being organised by the PAU Hockey Players Welfare Association at the Punjab Agricultural University grounds, here today. This tournament is being organised in the memory of Narinder Singh Laddi, a national-level player who died recently.

The match witnessed some brisk moves from both the sides as players exhibited great mobility. The academy went ahead in the 19th minute when Balwinder scored a superb field goal. Three minutes later, the club neutarlised the lead. Lakhwinder Singh converted the penalty stroke to level the score at one-all.

In the 34th minute, Raminder Singh of the academy found the target to again put his team ahead. They managed to hang onto this lead till the long whistle as in the last minute, Lakhwinder Singh of the club wasted a penalty stroke.

The second match played between Speed Fund Academy, Ludhiana, and the Aryan Club proved to be a one-sided affair with the former scoring 3-0 easy victory. Roop scored the goals in the fourth and 27th minutes, while Gurpreet scored in the 12th minute.