The Times of India, Chennai reports that Chikungunya virus, which leaves people with severe pain in the joints, is now affecting the eye. The report indicates that several samples of eye serum sent from the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore have tested positive for chikungunya at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine.

Dr Vasantha Hospital superintendent of Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Egmore said “Medical journals have reported ocular manifestation of the virus. In most cases, people who reported the infection had high fever, joint pain and blurring of vision”. She also said that they have sent samples to the lab that require detailed study”.

Doctors advise people with irritation of the eye, swelling or blurring vision to approach an ophthalmologist immediately. With the ocular manifestation yet to be studied in detail, experts are yet to evolve a standard treatment protocol.