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– One of the first symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be the so-called pink eye, meaning “pink eye”. There are countries where this symptom is considered a potential start of infection and is an indication for COVID-19 testing, explains the ophthalmologist Anna Maria Ambroziak, MD, PhD in an interview with Medonet.
- If our eyes look like they do when we come out of a swimming pool filled with chlorinated water or a smoky room, this is cause for concern
- “Pink eye” usually does not mean that there is a decrease in visual acuity at the same time
- There is a lot of soft tissue in the human eye socket that “responds” with pain to a virus attack
- You can find more current news on the TvoiLokony home page
Dorota Gardias, a journalist and weather presenter, recently reported on TVN’s “Fakty” program how she contracted the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and fell ill with the COVID-19 disease caused by it.
«I had the flu, tonsillitis, various illnesses, but it was completely different. This back pain, above all, and pain in the eyes. I could neither look up nor to the side »- she said.
The first symptoms of another convalescent were eye pains. »I never thought that the eyeballs could hurt so much, with frequent blinking it was discomfort. Later came the fever, which intensified at night »- the nurse told Radio Kolor.
Other convalescents share their impressions on the Facebook group “COVID-19 – patients’ reports, exchange of experiences” and among the symptoms they mention are eye problems.
COVID-19 and unbearable eye pain
«Pain in the back, spine and eye sockets. At first I thought it was definitely the bays. COVID is out »; “I felt a terrible pain in my whole body, a headache and excruciating pain in my eyes”; “Unbearable pain in the eyes” – write Facebook users.
It is therefore interesting to know that in a larger study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers documented “conjunctival hyperaemia” in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology also confirms the phenomenon on its website: “There are reports that COVID-19 can lead to conjunctivitis – redness of the eyes and the area around them” and advises ophthalmologists to be especially careful when examining patients.
Similar information is also provided by the Polish Ophthalmological Society: “Ophthalmic symptoms that may appear in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection result from the presence of the virus in the tear film and the secretion of the conjunctival sac”.
Dr. Anna Maria Ambroziak, MD, an ophthalmologist, points out that eye-related ailments, in the context of COVID-19, should be divided into those that herald an infection and those that occur during the disease.
— One of the first symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be the so-called pink eye, meaning “pink eye”. This is nothing but non-itching conjunctivitis. There are countries where this symptom is considered a potential start of infection and is an indication for COVID-19 testing, explains the ophthalmologist.
See also: A popular doctor fell ill with COVID-19. He published a guide on how to treat yourself at home
COVID-19 symptoms. How to recognize the «pink eye»?
– If our eyes look like they do when we come out of a pool filled with chlorinated water or a smoky room, this is cause for concern. Such signals should be consulted with a doctor. One should not be influenced by the fact that “it will pass by itself, because I can see well”. This is an important remark, because “pink eye” usually does not mean a simultaneous deterioration of visual acuity – explains Dr. Ambroziak.
Are you infected with the coronavirus or someone close to you has COVID-19? Or maybe you work in the health service? Would you like to share your story or report any irregularities that you have witnessed or affected? Write to us at: [email protected]. We guarantee anonymity!
Eye pain can be characteristic of the course of COVID-19.
– Along with pain, there is a feeling of discomfort and fatigue in the eyes. This may continue for a long time. This is because there is a large amount of soft tissue in the human eye socket that “responds” to a virus attack in this way. The eye and the whole organism fight SARS-CoV-2, and this causes a pain reaction – the ophthalmologist analyzes.
And he suggests that in case of pain, anti-inflammatory drugs that can be taken in the course of coronavirus are helpful.
– There is no separate analgesic treatment dedicated to eyes in COVID-19 – he adds.
How to help your eyes while suffering from COVID-19?
– Moisturizing the eyes with drops will definitely help us, especially since the masks cause the phenomenon of “dry eye”. It is induced by the evaporation of our tears, and fever further aggravates this process and affects the condition of the eye. The hygiene of the eyelid margins is also important, adds Dr. Ambroziak.
The problem of eyelid margin hygiene has only been addressed for over a dozen years, and the phenomenon results, among others, from environmental pollution. In addition to thoroughly washing the face along with the eye area, this care can be supplemented with the use of special wipes, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.
See: What are the common and atypical symptoms of COVID-19? [WE EXPLAIN]
In a pandemic, do not wear contact lenses!
It is worth knowing that the eye is a kind of gateway for microorganisms and SARS-CoV-2 can enter the body this way. For example, by rubbing the eyelids with fingers that have viruses.
– Hence an important note for people who require vision correction. With the onset of the infection, regardless of whether it is associated with eye symptoms or not, contact lenses are not worn – warns Dr. Anna Maria Ambroziak.
Wearing glasses is safer. And while corrective lenses or sunglasses do not provide complete protection, they provide an additional layer of protection and partially protect your eyes from other people’s contagious respiratory drops.
The editorial board recommends:
- The most dangerous symptom of COVID-19. It cannot be taken lightly
- It is known in what order the symptoms of COVID-19 appear in patients. This is important in the context of fall illnesses
- The most common symptom of COVID-19? It’s not about coughing
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