We all know for certain about Covid-19 is how it gives rise to several symptoms from many different illnesses and diseases. For example, many Covid-19 patients develop typhoid as n aftermath of the illness. Similarly, symptoms of a common cold in their extreme form are part of the normal Covid-19 outcomes. One such question is whether Covid-19 causes dry eye and blurry vision in the patients. If so, are cyclosporine eye drops the best refresh contact eye drops the best to deal with the situation? Here, the article will focus on the relation of COVID-19 to symptoms of dry eyes in patients.
- Are Dry Eyes Connected to Covid-19?
- Does Facial Covering Cause Dry Eyes?
- What Are the Other Covid-19 Related Eye Symptoms?
- When to See a Doctor?
- How to Cure Dry Eyes Developed During Covid-19?
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Are Dry Eyes Connected to Covid-19?
Many people who catch the Covid-19 infection only develop mild symptoms and face fatigue and fevers. However, the list of symptoms is not restricted, and the patients may face many more issues.
Dry eyes aren’t a common symptom emerging in most Covid-19 patients. The main reason is that Covid-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while dry eyes are a condition where there is an issue with the moisture content of your eyes. You may have dry eyes during your recovery period from Covid-19. However, these flu-like symptoms are not related to Dry Eye Syndrome. Instead, they are the normal issues that come as a part of Covid-19. However, 1 in 10 people suffering from Covid-19 have developed some form of eye condition in its aftermath. Only 16 people have developed dry eyes out of the total people who contracted different eye illnesses post Covid.
It is still unclear why Covid-19 causes an increase in the symptoms of a dry eye condition. One reason is that the virus enters your body through the angiotensin enzyme that covers your epithelial cells on the eye surface. As such, the eyes can get inflamed as your body tries to combat the virus, causing dryness.
Does Facial Covering Cause Dry Eyes?
Facial coverings are an important part of the human defense against the spread of Covid-19. These coverings have been linked to dry eyes as well. Doctors suggest that people have increased reporting dry eye issues since the start of Covid-19 restrictions. Wearing the mask loosely means that the air you exhale travels directly upwards, which can cause dryness in your eyes. Similarly, excessive mask usage during screen time can cause redness and dryness as well.
During the pandemic, work lives have shifted to online systems. Therefore, the screentime of people has increased manifold. Spending extended periods on the screen cause a reduction in blinking rate and swelling of the nerves as well. People who prefer glossy screens may experience serious nerve damage in the long run.
What Are the Other Covid-19 Related Eye Symptoms?
There are many different eye issues that people have developed during Covid-19. Some of these symptoms overlap with dry eyes as well. A person may experience redness, itchiness, eye pain, discharge, tearing, and feeling like some foreign object is inside the body.
These issues may be coupled with other common Covid-19 symptoms such as chills, shortness of breath, fever, muscle or body aches, sore throat, nasal congestion, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, and vomiting. Therefore, if you experience a range of similar symptoms, it is best to consult your doctor immediately. What you consider to be a regular dry eyes issue can be Covid-19.
When to See a Doctor?
It is preferable to consult your doctor as soon as the symptoms start. Try staying hydrated, taking plenty of rest, and using effective over-the-counter medications. Similarly, isolating yourself from others will help prevent the spread of the virus to other people.
How to Cure Dry Eyes Developed During Covid-19?
There is a range of options to consider when facing dry eyes and blurry vision during Covid-19.
- First, you need to wash your eyelids and lashes regularly. However, ensure that there are no chemicals, soaps, or shampoos on your hand. These items can cause serious eye irritation and increase redness. Try cleaning the eyelids properly. Once done, you can use a warm compress to unclog the tear-producing glands of the eyes as well.
- Trying different eye drops can be effective as well. Many doctors suggest using cyclosporine drops that can help stimulate tear production. With regular drop usage, your tear content can remain at normal levels, reducing the issues of eye dryness and redness. Similarly, you can use artificial tears as well. However, you need to select the ones without any preservatives. Otherwise, you may irritate your eyes and cause long-term infections. Also, look out for any allergens in the ingredient list of eye drops.
- Another important step to protect your health is to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking. Both are linked to increased eye dryness and irritation. Likewise, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Being hydrated ensures that your body has the necessary moisture content to keep your eyes wet. Similarly, blinking frequently can help spread moisture evenly throughout your eyes.
- Another important way to improve the situation is to eat healthy food. You need to add Vitamin A, B12, and Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. These nutrients help to promote tear production and ensure correct tear composition. This way, you can easily work for extended periods with your eyes remaining moisturized.
- Using soft lenses can help retain the water content and allow proper air ventilation as well. They also ensure that your cornea is protected from being scratched due to excessively dry air in the atmosphere.
- Finally, taking out time to sleep well is important to reduce eye fatigue. If your eye nerves get damaged, the situation may become prolonged even after curing Covid-19.
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Conclusion
Dry eyes may develop in some patients suffering from Covid-19. The important factor is to manage its symptoms properly and ensure that they do not get out of hand. Otherwise, it could lead to severe consequences. Let us know in the comments section if the article was helpful.
