Red eyes happen when the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the whites of a person’s eyes expand; turning the whites of one or both eyes a pink or reddish tint.
Pascal Ruggajo, director of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health, said preliminary investigations have shown that most people have contracted the disease in the country.
He told a news conference in Tanzania’s commercial hub of Dar es Salaam that there had been a rise in the number of patients with red eye disease reported in health centres.
He added that there were 869 patients suffering from red eye disease in Dar es Salaam between December 22, 2023, and January 11, 2024.
He noted symptoms of red eye disease include itching of the eyes, a burning sensation, and increased tearing.
Ruggajo said remedies for red eye are wide-ranging, including gently washing eyelids, and lightly massaging them, adding that eye care specialists may recommend and prescribe medicines.
According to medical experts, a “red eye” is a general term to describe red, irritated and bloodshot eyes. The redness happens when tiny blood vessels under your eye’s surface get larger or become inflamed. Usually, it’s a reaction to something irritating your eye.
Redness can affect one or both eyes. It can develop over time or appear suddenly, such as with allergies or an eye injury. Someone can have red eyes and other symptoms, like eye pain, itching, eye discharge, swollen eyes, and changes in vision, like blurred vision.
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