Does Covid Cause Eye Problems?

Most often, eye symptoms are associated with systemic symptoms of COVID, including the typical features of the respiratory illness we’re familiar with including cough, fever, and fatigue.” When the eyes are exposed to the virus, a person can develop conjunctivitis symptoms, often appearing like pink eye. Age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy that require regular intra-ocular injections.

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 have most commonly presented with conjunctivitis otherwise indistinguishable from other viral etiologies. Differential diagnosis includes a broad range of common ocular manifestations of eye redness and increased tearing: Other viral conjunctivitis.

According to research in China, 37.1% of seniors experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic with those most vulnerable to the effects of depression and anxiety being women, those who are widowed, or divorced, live alone, have worse physical health or have sleep problems.

COVID conjunctivitis like any other viral conjunctivitis is self-limiting and can be managed with lubricants and cold compresses unless cornea is involved. Topical antibiotics can be given to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

As we described in case 1, a diagnosis of bilateral anterior uveitis secondary to COVID-19 infection was made in a 19‐year‐old male patient who suffered from pneumonia. The ocular findings of this patient improved following topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy which was tapered over a period of six weeks.

These refractive errors are the most common eye problems in the U.S. Refractive errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and distorted vision at all distances (astigmatism). These eye conditions can be helped with eyeglasses, contacts or surgery.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of loss of vision in people over 65 years of age.

The frequency of sore eyes was significantly higher during COVID-19 state compared with pre-COVID-19 state. Eighty-one per cent of participants who had experienced an eye symptom reported to have suffered from it within 2 weeks of other COVID-19 symptoms, and 80% reported they lasted for less than 2 weeks.

Optic neuritis is one such rare manifestation. The three cases of optic neuritis being reported by us had mild COVID-19 infection. Two cases developed ocular symptoms and signs within the first six weeks of recovery while another case developed ocular manifestations six months after recovery from COVID-19.

What is the most common reason causing uveitis?

Uveitis often happens in people who have an autoimmune condition. This is where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Autoimmune conditions known to cause uveitis include: ankylosing spondylitis – a condition where the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

There are many different types of treatment for eye infections, for example chloramphenicol, fusidic acid and ciprofloxacin. Dry eyes can be easily treated over-the-counter with medicines such as hypromellose and carbomer, ask a pharmacist for advice.

Conjunctivitis or tearing can be the first presentation and even sole manifestation in a patient with the COVID-19 infection. Several ocular manifestations of COVID-19 have been observed, including retinovascular disease, uveitis, optic neuropathies, and orbital fungal co-infections.

Featured Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash