Eye problems could be an indication (Image: AndreyPopov via Getty Images)
If you develop a cough, fever or sore throat you may suspect COVID-19. But what about red, gritty or sticky eyes? According to a pharmacist, these less obvious signs could also be worth monitoring as COVID cases climb heading into winter.
This comes as thousands of people across Britain are becoming unwell with the dominant strain of Covid, XFG, nicknamed American Covid after quickly spreading throughout the USA. It has been recognised since last year, but has now become dominant in multiple countries.
Pharmacist Noel Wicks, an adviser to GoldenEye, explained: “The COVID-19 virus can enter the body through our eyes where it may cause symptoms.”
The alert follows the latest UKHSA figures released on October 15 which revealed that COVID-19 test positivity had increased from 7.6% to 8.4% in one week.
Covid is on the up as the weather starts to turn (Image: d3sign via Getty Images)
Symptom confirmed by studies
Mr Wicks said: “Clinical studies have demonstrated that conjunctivitis (red eye) is present in people who test positive for coronavirus, with rates of conjunctivitis ranging from 2% to over 14%, even if people don’t have any other COVID symptoms. In fact, conjunctivitis can be the first and/or the only symptom of COVID. A scientific review involving 20 studies and 3,383 people confirmed conjunctivitis as the most common COVID-related eye condition.
“The COVID virus can get into several body organs including the throat and lungs, as well as the eye’s surface and eyelids. When a droplet containing the virus lands on the surface of the eye, the virus likely travels from the eye surface into the internal cavity of the eye reaching the retina at the back of the eye.”
Coughs and sore throats are more obvious (Image: Guido Mieth via Getty Images)
Eye problems confirmed
Mr Wicks said: “A super study involving 6,308 people estimated that eye symptoms were found in approximately 11% of Covid sufferers, with the most frequent being cited as conjunctivitis (88.8%). In the same meta-analysis, dry eye or foreign body sensation (16%), eye redness (13.3%), tearing (12.8%), and itching (12.6%) were among the most frequent symptoms reported.
“In addition to the possibility of Covid-generated eye symptoms, conjunctivitis usually strikes when a person’s immune system is low, so if you catch Covid, you may be more suspectable to conjunctivitis too. Over the winter, winter conditions and poor immune function together with rising COVID cases creates a perfect storm for conjunctivitis.”
Early signs to know
Mr Wicks said: “Early symptoms of conjunctivitis (red eye) include the white of the eye turning pink, sore and inflamed eyelids, gritty itchy eyes and a white or yellow discharge coming from the eyes. These symptoms need to be tackled very quickly.
“A pharmacist can advise whether a pharmacy treatment may be suitable. For example, Golden Eye Eye Drops help to soothe and treat sore, red eyes – it contains propamidine isethionate (not antibiotics), which works by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying, which controls the numbers of bacteria causing an infection.
“Make sure to keep your eyes clean by washing them gently with a clean flannel to remove any crusts. Don’t rub your eyes as this can transfer infection from your hands to your eyes. Remove contact lenses and don’t wear eye makeup until the infection is better.”
