Health professionals have urged the public to take precautions against conjunctivitis, commonly known as “Apollo”, warning that the eye condition can cause redness, itching, irritation, excessive tearing and discharge.
The condition, which affects the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens or irritants. Infectious forms can spread easily, particularly in communities where people have close contact.
Public health awareness messages have encouraged people experiencing symptoms to seek advice from a healthcare professional and practise good hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission.
Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, with symptoms varying depending on the underlying cause. Common signs include redness, watery eyes, itching, irritation and discharge that may cause the eyelids to stick together.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be contagious, while allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious. Identifying the cause is therefore important in determining the appropriate treatment.
Regular handwashing with soap and clean water remains an important measure for reducing the spread of infectious conjunctivitis.
People are also advised to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes, as this may worsen irritation and transfer germs from their hands to their eyes or other surfaces.
Sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths and eye drops should be avoided, particularly when someone has symptoms of an eye infection.
People experiencing redness or discharge should seek medical advice rather than using medicines without proper guidance. Antibiotics do not treat viral conjunctivitis, and the unnecessary use of eye medication can be harmful.
Good hygiene is particularly important in households, schools and other settings where people interact closely, as infectious conjunctivitis can spread through contaminated hands and objects or contact with infected eye secretions.
Although many cases of conjunctivitis resolve without serious complications, certain symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
These include severe eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear after wiping away discharge, intense redness or worsening symptoms.
Newborns with suspected conjunctivitis should receive prompt medical attention because some causes can threaten their eyesight.
People who wear contact lenses should remove them when symptoms develop and seek medical advice, as eye redness in contact lens users can sometimes indicate a more serious infection
The public is encouraged to prioritise eye health by recognising symptoms early, maintaining proper hygiene and seeking appropriate medical care.
Early assessment can help identify the cause of the condition, guide treatment and reduce the risk of spreading infectious forms to other people.