Dr. Vu Tue Khanh, from the Cornea Department of the Central Eye Hospital, confirms that there have been numerous cases of 17 to 18-year-olds initially suffering from common conjunctivitis, but unfortunately went blind due to using unprescribed medication.
Furry Animals as the Culprit
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| A patient suffering from spring conjunctivitis being examined by a doctor (Photo: N. Ha, TTO) |
Dr. Khanh stated that this is an allergy-related condition that is not inherently dangerous but can be very uncomfortable. Household dust and pet hair can be the primary culprits of this illness. During spring, an increase in pollen in the air also significantly exacerbates the condition. On February 15, at Clinic 402, 16 Bui Thi Xuan, Hanoi, of the Central Eye Hospital, out of 80 patients who came for examination, nearly 20 were diagnosed with spring conjunctivitis.
The condition is most prevalent among young boys starting school age. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, rubbing of the eyes, and worsening irritation. Sometimes, itching may simply be a result of exposure to sunlight or dust, which leads to red and itchy eyes, prompting patients to rub their eyes even more.
In some cases, waking up in a warm room and then stepping outside into the cold can trigger the condition. Monitoring and identifying the specific allergens that cause conjunctivitis for each individual is an effective way to prevent recurrence.
Avoid Using Medication Arbitrarily
If not treated promptly and according to a doctor’s instructions, conjunctivitis can worsen, leading to various complications beyond the conjunctiva. From conjunctivitis, it can develop into keratitis, which can impair vision and complicate daily activities.
Typically, patients with allergic conjunctivitis are prescribed antihistamines, anti-inflammatory medications, and ocular surface nutrients. Antihistamines and ocular nutrients should be used over an extended period, while anti-inflammatory medications, if used arbitrarily for long durations without a doctor’s supervision, can lead to glaucoma, resulting in blindness.
The initial stage of conjunctivitis usually presents with common symptoms such as redness and itching of the eyes. The condition may recur if re-exposed to the allergen, prompting many individuals to reuse old prescriptions for extended periods. This practice is highly dangerous.
Anti-inflammatory medications containing corticosteroids can alleviate redness, but these medications also contain vasoconstrictive agents, causing the red eyes to whiten immediately. Users may prefer this as symptoms seem to be alleviated, but without addressing the underlying cause of the allergy and relying solely on vasoconstrictive anti-inflammatory medications, there is a high risk of blindness.
Dr. Khanh also warns that many young people have a habit of regularly using eye drops (like V-Rohto), mistakenly believing that they simply push out dust. However, V-Rohto contains antibiotic derivatives and vasoconstrictors, so the dosage must be appropriate and follow a doctor’s directions to avoid unwanted side effects.
NGOC HA
