Coronavirus and your eyes: What you need to know
You no doubt have heard about the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the respiratory disease also known as Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19, and have concerns about your eye health and that of your family. The doctors at Eye Medical Center of Fresno are paying close attention to the spread of the virus, and would like to offer their patients some information and tips for staying well.
How coronavirus can affect your eyes
The symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Though much is still being learned about the virus, it is believed to spread primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It could also be spread if you touch an object or surface with virus present from an infected person, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, two recent reports suggest the virus can cause conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Pink eye is an infection of the transparent membrane (also known as the conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. It can affect one or both eyes, and symptoms include redness, itchiness, tearing, a gritty feeling in the affected eye, and discharge that forms a crust, making it difficult to open your eye. Although it is as of yet not known for certain, it is possible that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by aerosol contact with the conjunctiva, or by touching your eyes after coming into contact with the virus.
Should you wear a face mask to protect yourself?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers these tips for protecting yourself from coronavirus:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Right now, older people and those with certain underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness. Make sure that if you are coming into contact with those who are at the most risk, you take care to follow the above tips.
When to see an eye specialist
If you think you have been exposed to coronavirus or have begun exhibiting symptoms (fever, shortness of breath, and coughing), be sure to call your primary physician. If you have standard conjunctivitis symptoms (and do not have a fever), you can make an appointment with an eye specialist at Eye Medical Center of Fresno by calling (559) 486-5000.
Wow I’m experiencing the same thing
Brigid, my eyes hurt, if I move them it’s agony. Very grainy and my head hurts..just a bit of a cough. I’m petrified. I have stomach issues too. And cannot sleep.
I had covid-19. I had the most agonizing pain in my eyeballs, ears, skull bones, and my eyes kept producing lots of sand. Any ideas on why??
I’m waiting for Covid test results, have a cough slight fever, watery eyes and now I’m experiencing blurry vision I can’t see very well is this normal
I have covid and noticed a sudden deterioration in my vision. I am fine inside but street signs are blurry. Very odd.
Hang in there…. ❤🙏❤
I’m assuming that if you have the virus it can effect the white part of the eye ball making it look yellowish and red along with the other systems. The white part of my eyes have been like this for weeks now thankfully I m not showing any other systems like coughing and breathing problems. I am dizzy put the white part of my eyes is what caused me to take a closer look at what this virus is doing if iv been exposed or not.
My daughter’s eyes started watering and itching anf started to mat shut do I need to be worried. I am a diabetic
I’m a seventy-one year old woman. Over 2 weeks ago, I noticed that the white part of one of my eyes was pink and there was some discharge. I got in to see my optometrist who gave me drops that were anti-bacterial. As the pinkness subsided in one eye, it then moved to the other. I’ve been in complete isolation for the whole time I had this pink eye and it has pretty well disappeared.
I did not have any other symptoms of the Corona virus- no fever or cough. Today, I watched an interview on CNN where the nurses at the senior home in Washington state said this ‘red eye’ was a symptom they noticed in many of the patients who suffered from this virus.
I’d never heard that this eye condition might be, in some way, connected to the Corona virus.
What do you think?
its connected to the respiratory system, when you cry you nose waters… eyes nose and mouth are gateways for the virus
Just Saw the nurses from Washington state nursing home. They said most patients had red eyes but not the normal red eye. Said it was almost like red eye shadow
It is an opening to the body just like the mouth and nose. The virus could be on hands and then you touch any of those three areas.
My daughter had a bad case of conjunctivitis along with what we thought was the flu. This was a month ago, her doctor never tested her for the flu and I’m convinced now it was Covid-19.
My eyes are red and watery and sometimes it feels like I have sand in them
Is it ok to use an eye wash daily to clean and refresh eyes….Advanced Eye Relief – Bausch+Lomb
I woke up today with a bright red streak in my left eye, after having a bad cough and wheezing but no fever for several weeks. I haven’t been tested for coronavirus, but I’m wondering what the dangers are to my eye and my vision if left untreated.
my left eye is red not to much nd today i also start counting
My son coughed in my eye about 10-14days ago, it burned like acid i had to give eye water bath. I then got sick. I have been much worse than rest of family. My eyes have stung watered and been sensitive to light for whole virus so far. Im on day 6
I accompanied someone to a medical appointment and kept hearing “red-eye” asked as a symptom (of him and several subsequent patients checking in.) Now I realize they meant what I’ve always heard called “Pinkeye” = Conjunctivitis.
The eye connection makes no sense. How can a virus get into the lungs from the eyes??
Thank you for clear information.