Mumbai, June 23 -- 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 can be ineffective and 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 crowded spaces. People's immunity is often weakened by fluctuating weather conditions, and when that is combined with poor hygiene and increased indoor crowding, it further fuels a conjunctivitis outbreak. At JJ Hospital, Mumbai, doctors are seeing over 35 new pink eye cases daily compared to the usual 10 to 15. "The surge is expected during the rains, but what is alarming is how quickly it is spreading across families and communities," said Dr SN Sawant, head of ophthalmology at the hospital. He said most of these infections would resolve themselves even without medical treatment. "They can be managed with hygiene, antibiotic drops to prevent secondary infections, and cold compresses. Steroids, when misused, can delay healing and lead to corneal complications," he said. Private hospitals are seeing a similar trend. Dr Nikhil Sardar, senior consultant ophthalmologist at Nanavati Hospital, also reported a 20%-30% increase in conjunctivitis cases in the last two to three weeks. He too held the early monsoon responsible, adding that stagnant water creates the perfect environment for the virus to spread. "People often ignore early symptoms, thinking it's just a minor irritation, but by the time they seek medical advice, they have already exposed others," he said, adding that adenoviral conjunctivitis remained contagious for several days even after the redness in the eyes fades. He said, "Isolation and hygiene are critical in breaking the chain." Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital has reported a 10%-20% increase in cases, especially among young adults aged 20 to 50. "Rising pollution may be worsening the condition," said Dr Neeraj Tulara, infectious disease specialist, at the hospital....