Are red eyes a symptom of COVID-19?

The connection between red, bloodshot eyes and COVID-19

In some cases, red eyes can be a symptom of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

COVID-19 may cause pink eye, otherwise known as conjunctivitis. When someone has conjunctivitis, the clear layer covering the white part of each eye and the inner lining of each eyelid become inflamed.

One of the hallmark symptoms of conjunctivitis is bloodshot, red eyes.

Eye redness associated with conjunctivitis is only seen in about 1% to 3% of people infected with COVID-19.

Patients seeking treatment for conjunctivitis could be infected with COVID-19 if they also show any these symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Bluish tint to the lips or face
• Chest pain or pressure
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of smell and/or taste
• New feelings of confusion

The coronavirus can also be spread through the eyes by touching or rubbing your eyes with fingers that are contaminated with the virus.

Red eyes and conjunctivitis in COVID-19 research

Studies have looked into a possible connection between conjunctivitis (pink eye) and COVID-19:

• One study looked at 30 patients hospitalized in China for treatment of COVID-19. One of the patients had coronavirus identified in their eye secretions. The researchers say this could mean the virus can infect the conjunctiva and cause conjunctivitis. Viral loads are most often identified in and transmitted through mucous membranes.
• In another study researchers discovered conjunctival congestion — the medical term for infected, red eyes — in nine of 1,099 patients with COVID-19. It’s worth noting that those with conjunctival congestion represented just 0.8% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, other studies showed 12 of 38 COVID-19 patients treated at a hospital in China had symptoms consistent with conjunctivitis. For one patient, conjunctivitis was the first symptom.

Therefore, ophthalmologists and optometrists might be the first health care providers to evaluate patients with eye redness and a possible COVID-19 infection.

Viral conjunctivitis can affect both eyes. Symptoms normally last five to seven days and include:

• Redness in the whites of the eyes
• Eyelid swelling
• A sandy, gritty feeling in the eye
• Tearing
• Watery or slightly whitish drainage

Be sure to contact your eye doctor before heading to their office. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, office hours and protocols have changed.

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