Eye infection cases increase with use of Kohl

INDORE: Cases of fungal eye infection due to use of kohl, honey or ghee have increased by 30% in last one year. As per ophthalmologists, kohl or ‘soorma’- consists of lead and arsenic which are toxic agents and reason behind increasing fungal infection cases.
MY Hospital records revealed that every day at least 20 patients are diagnosed with fungal eye infection, of which more than 50% patients applied kohl.Cases of infection due to use of kohl are mostly found in newborn babies.
Ophthalmology department HoD Dr Vijay Bhaisare said that in most of the fungal infection cases that he treated, patient had applied kohl. They either suffered from infection or injured his/her eyes through metal stick used in applying it. “Till last year, the cases of fungal infection reported were less as compared to this year. As per records in 2017, total cases were around 5530 which have increased to 7200 in 2018,” Dr Bhaisare said.
He said that, of the total cases, maximum patients were newborn babies as their parents regularly apply kohl in eyes which makes them suffer from fungal infection. “In last six months, we have received around 900 cases in which newborn babies suffered from fungal infection because of kohl,” Dr Bhaisare told to TOI.
Ophthalmologist Dr VK Nichlani said that apart from kohl, patients affected with fungal infections were found using honey and ghee. “Even now there are many people who believe that using honey and ghee is effective and will help them keep their eyes clean. However, these days substandard quality of ghee and honey are also available in market. Also, in most of the cases it has been seen that ghee or honey that patients applied was contaminated due to which eyes get damaged,” said Dr Nichlani.
He added, “Every week, around four patients are diagnosed with fungal infection because of applying honey or ghee in eyes. Mostly people in rural areas were affected with the infection.”