Harianjogja.com, JAKARTA – Corona virus can spread to vital organs in the body.
Although the virus is largely spread through direct contact through the nose or mouth, another way the virus can enter is through the eyes.
In fact, experts are now showing signs of Covid-19 which can be detected by three specific symptoms that can start in the eye.
With information changing constantly, little attention has been paid to how acute the damage was to the eye. Although it is unclear whether ocular transmission is a cause for concern, the mucous membranes, surface of the eye, and inner eyelids can all act as possible vehicles for the virus to assemble and reproduce.
Infection can also affect your vision if you touch contaminated surfaces, and without proper treatment, continue to touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
Currently, doctors believe that nearly 1-3% of people who contract Covid will develop one or another symptom associated with an eye infection. A study published in BMJ Ophthalmology now also details the main symptoms that people experience in the early weeks of infection, which they may also often miss.
Therefore, apart from coughing, fever, headache, muscle aches, these should also be signs to watch for:
1. Light sensitivity
According to the widely cited BMJ study, nearly 18% of patients in the reference group experienced sensitivity to light, also referred to as photophobia. Symptoms can occur when the light in certain environments is too bright and causes discomfort to the patient, which in turn can reduce or cause a person to have vision problems. Sudden sensitivity can also occur if there is acute inflammation of the eye (common with Covid-19), or if there is a foreign object in the uvea. Often it can also be accompanied by headaches and throbbing pain.
2. Itchy and sore eyes
Experiencing itchy, sore, or dry eyes can also be a common symptom that indicates a problem. The study found that nearly 17% of patients had itchy eyes, while 16% had eye pain. Itching and soreness, which can also be associated with red eyes, can be caused by eye infections and allergies. Excessive scrubbing can make the problem worse. Some people may also experience burning, redness, swelling around the eyes, and have other allergy symptoms such as runny nose or sneezing.
3. Conjunctivitis
Various studies have shown that patients with the coronavirus may have cases of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, or viral pink eye, can cause your eye to tear, become wet, swollen, and often itch. Pink eye, which is very dominant seen as a sign of trouble occurs when the virus tends to infect the important tissue in the eye, known as the conjunctiva. Many doctors also feel that for many (and even asymptomatic) patients, redness or redness of the eye, which can interfere with vision, may be the “most important” symptom of the coronavirus. Therefore, timely attention should be paid to your eyes.
4. Red eyes
Because the appearance of pink eye is considered the main symptom of Covid-19, people can become worried. However, pink eye spots shouldn’t be a cause for worry or panic. Sometimes, seasonal allergies, or other diseases. So how can you pinpoint the differences and consider getting help?
What doctors are currently observing is that eye irritation and infection appear to occur in the first week of contracting Covid-19. Viral conjunctivitis, as seen with Covid-19 also tends to affect one eye, unlike normal conjunctivitis. A person can also experience other symptoms such as fever, sneezing, cough with eye irritation, which may indicate the need to undergo a Covid-19 test.
If bouts of unusual eye irritation accompany the classic (and other less typical) signs of Covid-19, call a medical professional immediately.
Can Covid-19 cause permanent damage to vision?
Currently, there have been no reported cases of permanent vision problems or eye problems in severe cases of Covid-19. One of the complications associated with a severe Covid-19 attack is lack of oxygen and blood clots. Lack of oxygen can sometimes cause damage to metabolically active tissues, including nerves and eye cells. So, if any permanent damage to the eye is possible, it could be due to oxygen loss, and not the virus itself. However, it should also be noted that eye problems are often seen as a sign in hospitalized patients. A study in JAMA Opthalmology observed that 1/3 of Covid-19 patients hospitalized had one or more visual impairment symptoms.
There are studies that have observed that wearing glasses can protect people from developing infection-related eye symptoms, or catching the virus early on. Those who wear contact lenses may have a slightly higher risk if they are not too careful with hand hygiene and disinfection. Glasses, on the other hand, can minimize contact and serve as a preventative barrier before you touch your eyes.
Avoid touching contaminated surfaces, and dirty hands touching the eyes. This is one of the main causes of infection. If you suspect a problem, there are many home remedies you can try to manage and relieve eye irritation. However, keep in mind that it is also important to quarantine and seek help if you experience additional symptoms as the slightest risk factor can be detrimental.
Source: JIBI / Bisnis Indonesia
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