Patna, June 13: Pre-seasonal showers just don’t provide relief from heat, they bring along with them eye-related diseases.

Cases of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) — a severe form of normal conjunctivitis — are on the rise in the state capital.

Though eye specialists said over 100 cases have been reported, doctors at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) said the AHC infection of Entero-virus 70 and Coxsackie A 24 strains have not been reported from the state. These particular strains are highly dangerous and can cause loss of vision in extreme cases.

According to doctors, AHC is an epidemic form of highly contagious conjunctivitis and is characterised by sudden onset of painful, swollen, red eyes, with conjunctival haemorrhage and excessive tears, which continue for 10-15 days.

“AHC typically is caused by one of two Entero-viruses (Coxsackie A 24 or Entero-virus 70). This disease is transmitted from person-to-person usually through contact of contaminated hands or by sharing contaminated personal items. The disease is characterised by inflammation and redness in the eyes, which hurt and cause discomfort,” Dr Riyaz Hassan, a veteran ophthalmologist in the Rajendra Nagar locality of the city, said.

He added that he had seen over 20 such patients in the past one month. “The incidences of disease are high during rains and one should maintain hygiene as it is contagious. If a member in the family is affected, usually the entire family ends up with the disease,” Hassan added.

“In many cases, patients turn to local dispensaries which administer cortisone with antibiotics. It can tone down the symptoms for a few hours but this medication ends up complicating the case. AHC turns into a viral infection which results in growth of glands under the ears and subsequently, fever,” said a senior doctor at PMCH.

Dr Ajay Kumar said: “The disease is extremely infectious. Office-goers, school and college students have largely been affected because of their movement in crowded places.”

According to experts, an outbreak of AHC was first reported from Ghana in 1969 and was referred to as Apollo conjunctivitis. A new Entero-virus (EV 70) was identified as the etiologic agent of AHC and subsequently it spread to other parts of Africa and Asia, including India. It has been reported from Bihar for the past few years but took a form of epidemic last year when hundreds of cases were reported from Patna alone.

“Though the disease is self-limiting, at times it relapses if the patients do not take due precaution. I warn against self-medication. If there is any sign of the infection, the patient should immediately consult an ophthalmologist. The patients are advised to wash both eyes with clean water at least three to four times a day,” Kumar added.