COVID-19 and Your Eyes

he most common symptoms that are associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection are typically fatigue, fever and a dry cough. However, a number of patients who have been diagnosed with the virus have reported symptoms related to their eyes.Based on data so far, doctors believe that 1%-5% of people with COVID-19 will get conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye.

How the Infection Spreads: When someone who has coronavirus coughs or talks, virus particles can spray from their mouth or nose into your face. You are likely to breathe these tiny droplets in through your mouth or nose. But the droplets can also enter your body through your eyes.

If you have conjunctivitis from COVID-19, you may infect others with SARS-CoV-2 if you touch your eyes and then touch people or surfaces without washing or disinfecting your hands.

Symptoms : According to WHO, one potentially COVID-related eye symptom: pink eye, which is another term for viral conjunctivitis. (Though it’s worth noting that many people use “pink eye” as a blanket term for all forms of conjunctivitis.)

A study published in BMJ Open Ophthalmology found that between 16% and 18% of people with COVID-19 had other vision and eye symptoms, including:

• Light sensitivity

• Itchy eyes

• Sore eyes

While these symptoms can be related to pink eye, the study found that this shouldn’t be assumed, and that such an assumption would be “misleading.”

How to Protect Your Eyes form Covid 19 : Guarding your eyes — as well as your hands, nose, and mouth — can slow the spread of coronavirus. It can be hard to break this natural habit, but doing so will lower your risk of infection. If you feel an urge to itch or rub your eye or even to adjust your glasses, use a tissue instead of your fingers.

According to the World Health Organization, if you have the potential of being exposed to a person with coronavirus, you should be equipped with protective eyewear, a surgical mask, medical gown, medical gloves and a disposable respirator.