COVID-19 Affects the Eyes

Sore eyes are more common in people with COVID-19, revealed new research.

Sore eyes are more common in people with COVID-19, revealed new research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) researchers and published in the journal BMJ Open Ophthalmology. //

COVID-19 and Your Eyes

About Conjunctivitis | Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye causes redness and soreness of the conjunctiva and is responsible for 1% of all emergency visits to a hospital.

‘Sore eyes are the most significant vision-based indicator of COVID-19. ’

In the new study

16% of the participants with COVID-19 reported sore eyes as one of their symptoms.
18% of people reported suffering from photophobia (light sensitivity) as one of their symptoms.
Of the 83 respondents, 81% reported ocular issues within two weeks of other COVID-19 symptoms.
80% reported their eye problems lasted less than two weeks.

Other symptoms included fatigue (suffered by 90% of respondents), a fever (76%), and dry cough (66%).

Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU, said: "This is the first study to investigate the various eye symptoms indicative of conjunctivitis in relation to COVID-19, their time frame in relation to other well-known COVID-19 symptoms and their duration.

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"While it is important that ocular symptoms are included in the list of possible COVID-19 symptoms, we argue that sore eyes should replace 'conjunctivitis' as it is important to differentiate from symptoms of other types of infections, such as bacterial infections, which manifest as mucous discharge or gritty eyes.

"This study is important because it helps us understand more about how COVID-19 can infect the conjunctiva and how this then allows the virus to spread through the body."

Anatomy of the Eye
Interactive section of Medindia gives details regarding anatomy of the Eye

Tips for Eye Protection

Maintain personal hygiene.
Avoid touching your eyes without a proper hand wash.
Clean your eyes with cold water every time you come from outside.
If you wear contact lenses, avoid using them during monsoons as the chances of infection are greater with lenses.
Never share cosmetics.

Source-Medindia

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