News Alert: Red Eyes Outbreak!!

By Clyde Gregoire

There is currently an outbreak of Conjunctivitis also known as Red eyes or Pink eyes. It was discovered in the north of Dominica where several families were infected. This very contagious disease may soon spread to the rest of the island population if people do not take precaution.

The symptoms are:

Redness in the white part of the eyes and eyelids
Increased amount of tears and thick yellow discharge (lassie) which crust over the eyelids, especially during sleep. This discharge may sometimes be green in colour.
The eyes get itchy,
vision is blurry and the patient may develop a sensitivity to light.

Red eyes is a self- limited disease which clears up on its own however due to the itchiness and and rubbing of the eye, a reflex action which can cause scarring of the cornea, Conjunctivitis is a serious disease which can be sight-threatening.