While COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, with persistent cough and elevated temperature being the most common symptoms, previous research has shown that ocular manifestations can occur in some people with the disease. Eye pain is commonplace, but seldom is it a sign of a severe illness. Conjunctivitis has been added to the list of less common COVID-19 signs, according to the World Health Organisation. In a recent study published in the BMJ Open Ophthalmology, however, sore eyes were identified as the most critical ocular symptoms observed in patients.
Furthermore, there are currently no studies that have conclusively determined the mechanism by infecting the conjunctiva with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers created and disseminated an online questionnaire to better understand the ocular symptoms that are identified most commonly, how these symptoms relate to other COVID-19 symptoms, and how long they last. The majority of questions that have been used in other COVID-19 studies were adapted from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Salisbury Eye Assessment Questionnaire (SEEQ). From a total of 83 participants over the age of 18, researchers collected anonymous online data between April 16 and July 20, 2020. As confirmed by a healthcare professional, all participants had tested positive for COVID-19, and the majority (65%) were female.
The reports have indicated that in up to 4 percent to 31 percent of those with COVID-19, ocular symptoms are prevalent but may not be reported as they are typically not very serious or fatalistic. In addition, a Chinese study found that children with COVID-19 have experienced eye problems such as conjunctival discharge, eye rubbing, and conjunctival congestion. Although the study claimed that 18 percent of COVID-19 patients with photophobia, meaning light sensitivity, while 16 percent had sore eyes and 17 percent had itchy eyes, the authors said, “The most significant ocular symptom experienced by people suffering from COVID-19 was sore eyes. Other symptoms associated with other types of conjunctivitis, such as mucous discharge and gritty eyes linked to bacterial infection, did not reach significance. The term ‘conjunctivitis’ is too broad and should be used with caution”
