An unusual sign of COVID-19 that is often overlooked

Early signs of COVID-19 Mainly involves the respiratory system, but over time, the SARS-CoV-2 virus will infect other parts of the body, leading to a range of symptoms.

Over the past two years, scientists have noted several new signs of COVID-19 unrelated to the lungs, where the virus reproduces. Recently, experts discovered a new sign in about 20% of people infected with Covid-19: Dry eyes.

COVID-19 symptoms are ignored

According to a study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus have a higher risk of developing dry eye disease. Scientists draw this conclusion after looking at 228 COVID-19 cases that have been cured for 1-3 months. They compared the data of the group of patients with 109 healthy people.

The most common sign of dry eye disease after COVID-19 infection is blurred vision, followed by itching, pain, and burning. In some cases there is discharge and redness. The authors also address some of the less common signs of COVID-19 in the eyes, such as grit, sensitivity to light, and eyelid swelling.

Reason

This is not the first time that dry eye has been linked to COVID-19. A 2021 review found that about 10% of COVID-19 patients had eye symptoms, and the most common problem was dryness. However, what leads to this condition is still unknown.

It is believed that there may be a link between COVID-19 and ACE2. The SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to ACE2 to enter and infect the cells that cover the front of the eye and the inside of the eyelid, resulting in a range of eye-related symptoms.

Opinion on whether dry eyes is a sign of COVID-19 is still divided. Although some studies have identified a clear link, many experts believe that dry eyes may have a number of causes unrelated to COVID-19. Even wearing a mask and working on a laptop for a long time can lead to this condition.

Treatment

In most cases, it has been found that eye-related symptoms caused by COVID-19 resolve on their own within a few weeks without treatment. Other types of artificial tears may help relieve symptoms.

If the discomfort does not go away or bothers you, you should consult your doctor. There are several other options you can try to relieve dry eyes, such as:

Avoid smoke, direct airflow and wind.

Drink enough water every day.

Use a humidifier to keep the air from drying out.

Apply warm to the eyes.