Ho Chi Minh City recorded 63,309 cases of pink eye in the first 8 months of the year.

On the afternoon of September 5, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health informed that from the beginning of 2023 to August 31, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 63,309 cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye), an increase of 15.38% compared to the same period in 2022 with 53,573 cases.

Of these, 1,001 cases had complications, accounting for 1.59% (in the same period in 2022, there were 873 cases of complications, accounting for 1.63% of the total number of cases). Common complications of conjunctivitis include: keratitis, corneal ulcers, corneal scars, secondary infections, impaired vision, etc.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded 63,309 cases of blindness in the first 8 months of the year, picture 1 — Children return to school at risk of conjunctivitis spreading in the school environment (photo source Internet).

The number of children under 16 years old with conjunctivitis in the first 8 months of 2023 was 15,402 cases, accounting for 24.43% (in the same period in 2022, there were 10,467 cases, accounting for 19.54% of the total number of cases). Of the 15,402 cases of children under 16 years old with conjunctivitis, there were 288 cases of complications, accounting for 1.87% (in the same period in 2022, there were 241 cases of complications, accounting for 2.3% of the total number of cases).

Faced with this situation, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has requested units to strengthen communication to instruct people, teachers, and parents about the signs of pink eye, recommendations for preventing the spread, distinguishing it from other eye diseases, and providing instructions for home care for mild cases and severe signs requiring hospitalization.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health directed medical facilities to continue to effectively implement the reception and treatment of pink eye, with special attention to: Instructing and carefully advising patients and relatives about signs of worsening that require hospitalization and clearly stating in the outpatient prescription.

Require medical facilities to promptly report when the disease situation develops abnormally; prepare facilities, equipment, personnel, supplies, treatment drugs and response plans when an epidemic occurs.

Regarding the treatment of pink eye, there are currently some cases of sequelae due to the use of leaves to apply or steam the eyes, causing corneal ulcers, even leaving corneal scars causing permanent blurred vision.

In addition, some people with pink eye do not go to the hospital early and buy eye drops to treat themselves, so when they have serious complications, it greatly affects their eyesight.

According to Dr. Phung Thi Thuy Hang, Deputy Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Bach Mai Hospital, people with pink eye often have the following symptoms: itchy eyes, red eyes, glare, fear of light, watery eyes... When having the above symptoms, patients should go to ophthalmology facilities for diagnosis and advice on appropriate treatment methods. In particular, absolutely do not use leaves to apply or steam the eyes because they have little effect and can cause damage to the eyes.

In addition, some fungi and bacteria in leaves can penetrate through corneal scratches, causing corneal ulcers, making treatment very difficult. The sequelae are corneal scars that cause permanent blurred vision, and in some severe cases, the eye must be removed.

Source