Spring catarrh is plaguing the state’s summer vision.

The scorching heat coupled with pollutants in the warm and humid air is increasingly causing inflammation, itchiness and often impaired eyesight in the hot, smoggy cities of Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad, with ophthalmologists attending to patients aged three to 60.

Allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis — aka spring catarrh, which is a misnomer given that the incidence is more in summer, chronic conjunctivitis and keratitis have been common concerns over the past two months.

Experts say these burns to the sclera, conjunctiva, cornea and eyelid are classified by etiologic agents such as harmful chemical compounds or are radiant energy like ultraviolet rays. Injuries involving the cornea are considered true ophthalmologic emergency.

Neither the capital, nor the steel city or coal town is alien to Celsius onslaught and rising air pollution, thanks to swelling vehicular traffic and rapid industrialisation.

Spring catarrh is stalking Hatia, Ormanjhi and Mesra areas of Ranchi district, while chronic conjunctivitis is being reported from Ratu Road, MG Road, Kantatoli, Lalpur and Kokar Industrial Area. In Dhanbad, chronic conjunctivitis has gripped Sijua, Katras and Bank More, while the disease is mauling clear vision in Jugsalai, Sakchi and Mango neighbourhoods in Jamshedpur, besides Adityapur.

Dr Bharti Kashyap of Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital, Ranchi, said the bulk of their patients were children suffering from spring catarrh. “On an average, we are attending to 10-12 children every day. All of them with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the conjunctiva marked by itchy sensations. Main causes are allergic factors, UV radiation and endocrine frustrations.”

In adults, exposure keratitis and chronic conjunctivitis are common. “People in the age group of 20 to 50 are complaining of dryness and redness in the eyes. These are just symptoms,” Kashyap said.

She attributed the host of eye ailments to risky levels of nitrogen and sulphur oxides in the atmosphere.

Ophthalmologist Malay Verma said the heat spell had accelerated eye diseases too. “It rained on Sunday after nearly 15 days,” he pointed out.

Dr Verma, who is attending to three-four patients suffering from chronic conjunctivitis and four-five children with VKC every day, offered a precautionary prescription. “Shades with UV protection is a must. Even spectacles should be able to block 95 per cent of UV radiation. Also, one should regularly use eye lubricants and splash water every three to four hours.”

Ophthalmologist A. Mitra, who voluntarily treats patients in Jamshedpur and Dhanbad twice a month, said: “People often think redness in the eyes is just related to less sleep or long hours in front of the computer. Prolonged red eye could mean chronic conjunctivitis for which professional help is required.”

He warned against ignoring symptoms. After all, your vision is your future.