Experts and researchers have linked several ocular symptoms with COVID infection.
There seems to be no end to the woes inflicted upon us by the coronavirus. The virus reacts with the human body in a peculiar way. There is no one-rule-applies-to-all when it comes to managing COVID symptoms and its aftermath condition.
Of all the havocs COVID wrecks on human health, a significant effect is on the vision system.
Experts and researchers have linked several ocular symptoms with COVID infection.
With the emergence of new variants and the probability of further evolution of the virus, it is vital to understand all the signs and symptoms of COVID related to the eyes.
Sore eyes
As per a report published in the BMJ Open Ophthalmology by a group of researchers at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, sore eyes is the most significant ocular symptom of COVID. The study which was done on 83 participants found that: "The most significant ocular symptom experienced by people suffering from COVID-19 was sore eyes. Other symptoms associated with other types of conjunctivitis, such as mucous discharge and gritty eyes linked to bacterial infection, did not reach significance. The term ‘conjunctivitis’ is too broad and should be used with caution."
Other ocular symptoms found in the study were photophobia, and itchy eyes. The study found that the frequency of sore eyes was significantly higher during COVID-19 state compared with pre-COVID-19 state and there were no differences between males and females.
Dry eyes
While there is a mixed response on this, the association of this condition with COVID can not be ruled out completely.
Many experts have linked COVID with eye dryness as ACE2 or the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 to which the coronavirus binds and enters the cells is also present in the cells of the conjunctiva, the membranous covering of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. The occurrence of dry eyes in many COVID patients confirms this theory.
Many other health experts blame the COVID lifestyle to be a reason behind the dryness of eyes. Prolonged use of masks is a reason why eyes dry out. When the masks are not worn properly, the air released affects the moisture content of the eyes, thus dries it out. Another lifestyle change is exposure to increased screen time. Due to COVID schools and offices function in work from home mode, due to which the work life balance of individuals have changed a lot. People are spending more hours indoors browsing laptops and mobile phones instead of going outside.
Pink eye
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a possible symptom of coronavirus induced COVID, says the WHO.
As per a research study, "Ocular surfaces have in fact great tropism for respiratory viruses and coronavirus RNA has been found in tears."
In some cases, another study says, conjunctivitis may appear as the only sign and symptom of COVID-19, and these patients may not have fever, fatigue, or respiratory symptoms that may cause suspicion.