By now, we all know that COVID-19 affects the lungs and the heart. But did you know that COVID-19 can also affect your eyes and vision? Studies show that COVID-19 can affect all layers of the eye, starting at the cornea and ending at the retina. Here’s what you should know about how COVID-19 can affect your eye health.
Key takeaways:
- About 1 in 10 people develop eye symptoms when they have COVID-19.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the most common COVID-19 symptom.
- COVID-19 can also cause eye pain along with dry eye, redness, and blurred vision.
What eye symptoms can COVID-19 cause?
People who get sick with COVID-19 can develop many different eye symptoms in one or both eyes. The most commonly reported ones are:
1. Eye pain
COVID-19 infections can cause eye pain. This can feel like a dull aching pain. You may also notice light sensitivity. Pain can develop when the virus triggers eye inflammation, dry eye, or infection.
2. Redness
COVID-19 can also cause eye redness (bloodshot eyes). This can be a sign of inflammation, COVID-19 pink eye or worsening dry eye.
3. Itching
Eye itching can develop with COVID-19 eye infections, like pink eye. Itching can also be a sign of worsening dry eye. Some people experience itching when they have eye inflammation. COVID-19 illness can trigger new eye inflammation. It can also make existing eye inflammation worse.
4. Eye discharge
Yellow or green eye discharge is a common symptom of COVID-19-related pink eye. Eye discharge can also be a sign of another type of eye infection. COVID-19 can cause inflammation in the eye. This may increase the risk of developing an infection.
5. Vision changes
COVID can cause vision changes, especially blurry vision. This happens because COVID-19 can worsen underlying conditions like dry eye. COVID-19 can also trigger inflammation in the uvea or retina, which can lead to vision changes.
Can COVID-19 cause pink eye?
Yes. COVID-19 can cause eye infections. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 can cause conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.” This happens when the virus infects the outer layer of the eye, called the conjunctiva.
COVID conjunctivitis is the most common eye problem caused by the COVID virus. Omicron variants are more likely to cause pink eye than older variants.
No medication can cure COVID conjunctivitis. The infection will go away on its own over time. Antibiotic eye drops can’t cure COVID conjunctivitis.
A healthcare professional might recommend artificial tear drops, which will help relieve some of your COVID-19 eye symptoms like itching and redness.
The drops will also keep your eyes moist, which is important for the overall health of your eyes.
What are the most common eye problems linked to COVID-19?
About 1 in 10 people with COVID-19 develop an eye-related symptom, like eye pain or redness. Most often, these symptoms are from COVID-19 conjunctivitis.
But COVID can cause other eye conditions, too, including:
Dry eye
COVID-19 can cause a condition called dry eye. COVID-19 can also make dry eye worse for people who already have the condition. Dry eye can lead to vision changes, eye pain, and redness. Treatment can help ease symptoms and prevent long-term vision damage.
Corneal nerve damage
The COVID-19 virus can injure the nerves that go to the cornea, the clear covering of the eye. This can lead to blurred vision and eye pain. People with corneal nerve damage are also at higher risk for developing eye infections. They can also develop scars on their cornea that can damage vision.
Uveitis
COVID-19 can trigger uveitis. Uveitis is inflammation of the front part of the eye. People with uveitis experience eye redness, sensitivity to light, and eye pain. Uveitis can cause vision loss.
Retina damage
The retina is the back part of the eye that processes images. COVID-19 can cause bleeding and inflammation in the retina. This can permanently damage your vision.
How can you treat COVID-19 eye symptoms?
See an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) right away if you’re experiencing eye pain or vision changes while sick with COVID-19. They can make sure you’re not experiencing a vision-threatening condition like uveitis or retinal bleeding.
See your eye doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing mild eye symptoms during your COVID illness. They can perform an eye exam to see if you have dry eye or pink eye and offer treatment options to help you recover. There are also home remedies you can try to treat mild COVID eye symptoms.
Cool compress
You can run a washcloth under cool or cold water and then lay it over your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. This can help ease redness and itching. A cool compress can also help get rid of any crusting from eye discharge.
Warm compress
A warm compress can help your eyes’ oil glands open up, which can help lessen dry eye symptoms. You can buy a reusable warm pack that’s made for use over the eyes, or make your own warm pack with a sock and dry white rice.
Artificial tears and saline rinses
Artificial tears and saline eye rinses are available over the counter (OTC). They can help soothe eye itching and redness. Make sure you only use sterile saline to rinse your eyes. Never use tap water, which can lead to eye infections. Also, not all eye drops are the same. Stick with ones labelled as “artificial tears.” Some eye drops are marketed for eye redness relief, but they may worsen dry eye symptoms.
Eye ointment
If you’re experiencing dry eye or eye itching, use a lubricating eye ointment before going to bed at night. They’re much thicker than artificial tears, so they’ll blur your vision. Because of this, they should only be used at bedtime. Eye ointments are available OTC.
If your COVID-19 eye symptoms don’t get better within 2 to 3 days, see an eye doctor. You may need additional tests or treatments to help your symptoms. If you wear contact lenses, see your eye doctor as soon as you develop symptoms. People who wear contact lenses are at higher risk for developing severe eye infections that pose a risk to vision.
Can you prevent COVID-19 eye problems?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COVID, there are several things you can do to protect your eyes:
- Avoid touching your eyes, as much as possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- If you wear contact lenses, make sure you’re cleaning and storing your lenses properly.
- Don’t share towels or other personal items that go near your face and eyes.
If your eye doctor recommends eye drops or artificial tears, make sure to use them as directed. Eye drops can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision safe. If you notice your symptoms getting worse even with treatment, get in touch with your eye doctor right away.
The bottom line
COVID-19 can affect your eyes. About 1 in 10 people develop an eye symptom from COVID-19 like redness, itching, or discharge. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and dry eye are the most common eye problems that develop with COVID-19 infection. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COVID and you develop any eye symptoms like redness, tearing, wateriness, or blurry vision, make sure to see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
By Nishika Reddy, MD, an attending physician at the University of Utah. She provides comprehensive and cornea medical care at the Moran Eye Center and serves as clinical assistant professor.
