KARACHI: With the onset of early summer this year, bacterial conjunctivitis eye infection cases in Karachi have risen sharply during last few weeks due to lack of garbage management, air pollution and supply of contaminated water in port city, eye specialists told Daily Times. According to eye specialists the dusty envoroment is also resposble for the growing number of eye infection. The city is experiencing worst kind of air pollution caused by dust, arising out of ongoing construction activities. According to ophthalmologists, during last few weeks, eye infection cases have taken the lead in eye related diseases. “Infection cases are increasing in all over the Karachi,” said Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Ansari, senior eye specialist addomg “On average 70 out of 100 patients visiting our healthcare facilities suffer from eye related problems”. The reasons attributed to eye ailments are environmental pollution caused by dust, lack of garbage collections, and smoke emitting from burning garbage in almost every area of the city, Dr Ansari commented. Most of the cases are being reported from Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Karachi, Nazimabad, Surjani, Ibrahim Hyderi and other areas of the city. However, Sindh Health Department, the official custodian of healthcare is not even aware of the increasing eye infections in the city. Talking to Daily Times, Karachi Health Director Dr Mohammad Taufeeq denied to have received any such report. “I will inquire on Monday (today) about such cases and will let you know if there is any such case”, he told. According to health experts, common symptoms of eye infections are pain, itching, redness or watery eyes. “Face and eye hygiene is the first line of defense against eye infections,” Dr Ansari elaborated. “Precautionary measures include wearing sun glasses, if somebody is exposed to bright sun”, he said. “Once the infection is developed, it is important to take antibiotics drops. Maintaining hygiene is very important to avoid this infection,” said Dr M Saeed Iqbal, Associate Prof. Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences, hospital. “Conjunctivitis infections is contagious therefore precautions should be taken. The spread of injection could be discouraged by not sharing personal belongings including towels etc.”, he added.