India, June 22 -- The arrival of the monsoon has fuelled the rise of conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye infection commonly known as the 'eye flu'. The city is witnessing a 20%-30% sharp spike in cases over the past two weeks.

Doctors warn people against the indiscriminate use of over-the-counter steroid-based eye drops, which may not only be ineffective but also harmful without a proper diagnosis.

The surge in cases is closely tied to seasonal weather patterns-intermittent rains, fluctuating temperatures, and high humidity create ideal conditions for adenoviruses to thrive. These viruses, which can cause a range of cold or flu-like infections, spread rapidly through contaminated hands, shared towels, and even airborne droplets in c...