A team of Indian-origin researchers has discovered a growing connection between Covid infection and eye problems such as dryness, redness, and itching. Published in the Cureus: Journal of Medical Science, the study identified conjunctivitis as the most common ocular symptom among Covid patients, with serious complications like episcleritis also reported.
Some patients with Covid have experienced cranial nerve palsies and vision loss, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment. The researchers emphasized the need for further research into the specific pathophysiology of ocular manifestations of Covid-19 to better inform physicians on treatment strategies.
The study also noted that Pfizer’s Paxlovid medication may be effective in treating Covid patients with ophthalmic symptoms. Approved by the US FDA in December 2021, Paxlovid can help halt viral replication and reduce viral load in the body for patients with mild to moderate Covid at risk of worse outcomes.
“As the number of Covid-19 cases with ophthalmic infection continues to rise, further research must be conducted into the specific pathophysiology of ocular manifestations. Physicians should be informed on how to treat these symptoms, should they come into contact with those patients presenting with ophthalmic manifestations of Covid-19,” the researchers wrote in the paper.
While Covid has primarily been a respiratory infection, the ocular system has shown susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with various symptoms reported globally. The researchers stressed the importance of quick isolation and treatment to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
