Beware of eye pain and red eyes after Covid-19

According to medical experts, in Vietnam there has been no research on this.Covid-19affect the eyes. However, a 2021 meta-analysis by Nasiri, in 7,300 COVID-19 patients, up to 11% of cases had eye manifestations, commonly conjunctivitis, dry eyes, red eyes, watery eyes and itching. Of which, 30% of patients with prolonged COVID-19 sequelae had symptoms of dry eyes, heavy eyes, and eye pain.

In fact, recently, eye clinics have continuously received many cases of patients with eye pain after COVID-19. Most F0 have symptoms of red eyes, the most common being conjunctivitis. The main cause of F0 having sore, red eyes after recovering from the disease is the virus multiplying in the eye mucosa.

Patients with post-COVID-19 conjunctivitis often have red eyes in the white parts of the eye, causing no discomfort or the eye may be painful, itchy or gritty, watery and discharge with eye pain.

In addition, COVID-19 can affect the retina and choroid (the back part of the eyeball) through anemia, vasculitis, damage to retinal vascular endothelial cells, leading to retinal vein occlusion, more severe retinal artery occlusion, causing irreversible blindness.

In addition, many studies around the world have shown that some cases of post-COVID-19 patients with red eye pain are not simply a sign of more dangerous eye diseases such as anterior uveitis (an inflammation of the anterior part of the eyeball) due to multi-organ systemic inflammatory response disease; retinal microangiopathy related to post-recovery blood clotting disorders.

F0 needs to clean eyes with 0.9% saline. Illustrative photo.

What should F0 do to prevent eye diseases caused by COVID-19?

Conjunctivitis is a common eye infection caused by viruses or bacteria, sometimes by some allergens, that can be treated and prevented. Specifically:

- Clean eyes with 0.9% saline (10 ml) to clean eyes. Saline helps wash away viruses and inflammatory factors from the surface of the eyeball, helping tear reflux and faster recovery in cases of red and painful eyes.

- When you have COVID-19 or have recovered, you should limit looking at phones, computers, and electronic devices for long periods of time to avoid eye strain and retinal damage.

- Post-COVID-19 patients with conjunctivitis, redness, irritation, and pain for many days after testing negative should absolutely not self-medicate. It is best to see a specialist for advice and proper treatment to avoid serious complications.