Sore eyes are significant ocular symptom of COVID 19

The researchers used an online questionnaire adapted from validated questionnaires to examine the type and frequency of ocular and other symptoms in people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19. They used them to ascertain the type, frequency and duration of different COVID-19 symptoms. They compared the Anterior eye symptoms experienced by participants in the pre-COVID-19 state and during the COVID-19 state.

Researchers analyzed 83 participants data and noted the most reported COVID-19 symptoms such as dry cough (66%), fever (76%), fatigue (90%) and loss of smell/taste (70%). They found photophobia (18%), sore eyes (16%) and itchy eyes (17%) were the three most common ocular symptoms experienced by COVID 19 patients. They noted that the frequency of sore eyes were significantly higher during COVID-19 state (16%) compared with the pre-COVID-19 state (5%). They also found that the ocular symptoms were prevalent within 2 weeks of other COVID-19 symptoms in 81% of participants and it lasted for less than 2 weeks among 80% of participants.

The authors concluded, "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".

For further information:

https://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000632