Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a common ailment that affects the eyes. This article will discuss the effect of COVID-19 on eye health and symptoms of pink eye, which can be caused by the virus.

1. Conjunctivitis and COVID-19
Effect of COVID-19 on Eye: Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, there
have been more than 6.5 million affirmed instances of the illness
around the world. Coronavirus is brought about by a newfound
infection called severe acute respiratory condition coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2). The coronavirus family infections cause different
respiratory diseases, including the common cold, Middle East
respiratory condition (MERS), and serious acute respiratory
disorder (SARS).
Some of the common symptoms include fever, coughing, and
breathing problems. Sometimes rarely, people also experience an
eye infection called conjunctivitis. While it's anything but a common
side effect, procuring a disease with the SARS-CoV-2 infection
might prompt an individual creating infective conjunctivitis, known
as pink eye.

2. Ophthalmological Symptoms due to COVID-19
The pervasiveness of ophthalmological side effects — which
influence the eyes — in individuals with COVID-19 might go from
2-32%. While pink eye is by all accounts one of the more normal
ophthalmological side effects, it is still moderately rare, with
different sources proposing that it just happens in up to 3% of
individuals with the sickness. Research additionally states it is more
normal in people with severe instances of COVID-19.
Symptoms of pink eye can include:
● The red or pink color in the white of the eye
● Swelling of the conjunctiva, eyelid, or both
● Irritation, itching, or burning
● Eyelid swelling
● Tearing
● Discharge
● Crusting of eyelids or lashes
● The sensation of a foreign body in the eye
Additionally the conjunctiva, individuals may likewise report side
effects in different pieces of the eye, like the optic nerve, retina,
understudy, and lacrimal organ. Other eye conditions that might
have joined with COVID-19 can include:
● Episcleritis : Alludes to inflammation of the episclera, the thin
layer of tissue between the conjunctiva and the sclera. While
pink eye has common joins with coronaviruses, case reports
note that episcleritis can happen with COVID-19. At times,
indications of episcleritis might introduce before the side
effects of COVID-19.
● Retinal Changes : The changes to the retina incorporate
lesions, cotton wool spots, and bleeding. Different
examinations add that COVID-19 can likewise influence retinal
veins or result in nodules.

3. ● Optic Neuritis : This alludes to inflammation of the optic nerve,
which can influence vision. Coronaviruses can aggravate the
optic nerve in creature models, while studies recommend that
SARS-CoV-2 might have the capacity to do similar in people.
Also Read: Effect of COVID on the retina
Conjunctivitis due to COVID-19
The specialists confirmed that around 1%-3% of people with
COVID-19 might get conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye. It happens
when the infection contaminates a tissue called the conjunctiva,
which covers the white piece of your eye or within your eyelids.
Side effects incorporate assuming your eyes are:
● Red
● Swollen
● Irritated or itchy

4. If you have conjunctivitis, it doesn't guarantee to mean you have
COVID-19. Conjunctivitis is the side-effect of COVID-19 but is not a
symptom of COVID-19. The almost certain causes are a wide range
of infections, microbes, synthetic substances, and allergens that
can bother your eyes.
Many types of conjunctivitis disappear with over-the-counter
medicines in around 1 fourteen days. But, if it is accompanied by
fever, cough, or shortness of breath, contact your primary health
care specialist. Conjunctivitis itself won't prompt COVID-19
happening in an individual. In any case, if SARS-CoV-2 causes the
condition, an individual might proceed to foster COVID-19. While it
is an improbable side effect, it could merit thinking that any
indications of conjunctivitis could show COVID-19, especially on the
off chance that an individual is likewise encountering other more
normal side effects of the infection, like fever, cough, or
windedness.
How does Conjunctivitis spread

5. The new coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, gets gone on basically
through drops from a cough or a sneeze. These particles most
frequently enter through your nose or mouth as well as your eyes.
It's likewise conceivable to come down with the infection on the off
chance that you contact a contaminated ledge, door handle, or
different surfaces. In any case, this doesn't appear to be the
fundamental way the infection spreads.
Assuming that you have conjunctivitis from COVID-19, you might
contaminate others with SARS-CoV-2 on the off chance that you
contact your eyes and, contact individuals or surfaces without
washing or disinfecting your hands. Try not to touch your face,
particularly the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, and eyes.
You should contact your primary care physician when you
experience the below symptoms along with pink eye or different
indications of an eye crisis:
● Eye pain or trauma
● Redness or discharge in the eye
● Sudden changes in vision
● Sensitivity to light
For individuals with side effects of pink eye, the CDC prompts
treatment with fake tears and cold packs. An individual who wears
contacts ought to stop utilizing them until their side effects vanish.
Also Read: Ways to Stay Safe from COVID

6. How to Protect Your Eyes
Like everybody, make certain to clean up frequently and remain at
home at whatever point you can. If you go out, get 6 feet far from
others and wear a cover. It likewise might be smart to:
● Contact Lenses : There is no proof wearing contacts puts you
at more gamble for COVID-19 than the individuals who wear
eyeglasses. In any case, you ought to keep on pursuing safe
cleanliness routines for wearing and focusing on them and
cleaning up before placing them in or taking them out.
● Wear glasses : Your glasses' focal points might assist with
shielding your eyes from any respiratory beads. If you don't
wear glasses, attempt shades. What's more, if you're focusing
on somebody sick, wear security glasses or goggles.
● Stock up on eye medicines : Check with your safety net
provider to check whether you can reorder glaucoma drops
and other fundamental medicines ahead of time. You could
get a 3-month supply. Ask your PCP or drug specialist for any
assistance.
● Try not to rub your eyes : It very well may be a hard propensity
to break. Dampening drops might assist with facilitating
irritation. Clean up for 20 seconds when you do it. If you
should contact your eyes, utilize a tissue rather than your
fingers.

7. Outlook
Expanding instances of conjunctivitis, or pink eye can happen as a
side effect of COVID-19. The pink eye normally gives redness,
enlarging, and touchiness of the eye, possible since SARS-CoV-2
and different individuals from the coronavirus family can cause
infective conjunctivitis. In any case, while pink eye and other eye
side effects can happen, they are not common side effects of
COVID-19. Research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can enter the eye
through openness to airborne beads from a cough or contacting the
eye after contacting a contaminated surface.
An individual can go to lengths to attempt to safeguard their eyes to
decrease the gamble of gaining a SARS-CoV-2 contamination.
These can incorporate wearing defensive eyewear, keeping actual
separation, and not contacting the eyes with unwashed hands.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from the effects of
Covid-19, our expert providers at Post Covid Centers will take
care of your health and help you recover.
Call us on (469) 545-9983 to book a telehealth appointment for
a home check-up.