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Conjunctivitis and eye pain can be caused by many different factors, but new evidence suggests a portion of people with coronavirus develop conjunctivitis as a symptom of the virus. These are the symptoms of coronavirus affecting the eyes.
Conjunctivitis is sometimes also known as red or pink eye.
It’s caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent layer covering the white of your eyeball.
Conjunctivitis can cause irritation and itching, your eye looking red and pink, and even discharge from your eye.
Most commonly, conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, or a bacterial or viral infection.
However, some people are developing conjunctivitis as a symptom of coronavirus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added conjunctivitis and red eyes to their list of less common Covid symptoms.
This is everything you need to know about Covid and conjunctivitis.
How many people get conjunctivitis with coronavirus?
According to the WHO, conjunctivitis is a less common symptom of coronavirus.
Between one and three percent of people with coronavirus will experience conjunctivitis as a symptom.
Eye pain or conjunctivitis as a symptom of coronavirus seems to appear later after developing other symptoms.
So, if you develop conjunctivitis and don’t have any other symptoms of Covid, it’s more likely just conjunctivitis, but you should still test regularly with lateral flow tests (LFTs) to be sure, and if you develop any other coronavirus symptoms arrange a PCR test.
Another more common symptom of coronavirus is headaches or migraines, which for many people can feel as though there’s pain in your eyes and sensitivity to light.
Some people have also reported experiencing itchy eyes as a symptom of coronavirus.
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Can coronavirus be contracted through your eyes?
Public health advice to protect you from getting many different viruses says don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands.
This is because viruses can enter your body through these organs and make you unwell, and the coronavirus is no different.
In the case of the eyes, your conjunctiva – the tissue covering your eyeball – contains receptors called ACE-2 receptors.
These receptors lead to other cells in the body, so if coronavirus particles come into contact with the ACE-2 receptors on your eye, you can catch coronavirus.
This can happen as a result of someone coughing or sneezing near you and viral particles reaching your eye, or touching your eye with unclean hands.
What else causes eye pain?
Dry, itchy or aching eyes can also be caused by eye strain and screen time.
If you’re spending more time with screens – as a result of working from home, or to entertain yourself while self-isolating – you may develop aches and pains in your eyes.
Try to take regular breaks from looking at a screen, and if you have prescription glasses, wear them as directed by your optician.
The 20-20-20 rule is suggested for anyone who spends a long time at the computer.
Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break to look at least 20 feet (roughly six metres) away from your screen.
You should take a longer break every two hours, even if it’s just taking 10 minutes to prepare a snack or beverage.
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