Following the rising cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as “Madras eye,” the State Health Department has announced plans to conduct an eye screening camp for school students in the city. Health Minister Ma Subramanian made this announcement during an inspection at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore.
The eye screening camp is scheduled to run from September 16 to 25 and will specifically target school students. Minister Subramanian explained that it is typical for monsoon-related illnesses, including Madras eye, to increase in the city before the onset of the northeast monsoon.
The Minister revealed that Chennai witnessed a gradual increase in conjunctivitis cases, with 78 reported in July, escalating to 248 in August. In the current month, the hospital has recorded 283 cases, of which only five required hospitalization. The hospital has established a dedicated ward for conjunctivitis patients.