CORONAVIRUS AND YOUR EYES

Nahndi Bush, M.D. • March 17, 2020

CORONAVIRUS AND YOUR EYES

Our eyes are susceptible to a variety of infections caused by common viruses, such as the ones that cause the common cold. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the superficial membrane that covers the eyeball, and is often associated with cold and flu syndromes. Symptoms are redness, often sticky or runny discharge, and sometimes itching and lid swelling. There are cases of Coronaviruses causing conjunctivitis, so if you have any new onset of these eye symptoms you should consider taking the same precautions you would if you have cold symptoms or a fever.

Additionally, our eyes are often the pathway by which viruses and other germs enter the body. Take infected droplets of body fluids from coughs and sneezes for example. When they contact our eyes, nose and mouth during close proximity to others, or are passed from surfaces to our hands then to our faces, they gain access into our bodies. Children especially touch their eyes and noses frequently, then other surfaces, which is one reason that colds and “pink eye” are so common in these groups. Especially now, this must be avoided as much as possible, and accompanied by regular 20 second hand washes, or use of hand sanitizers when that is not feasible.

The Coronavirus epidemic will eventually resolve, but even when it does, this virus and many others will be present and part of our regular existence at varying levels. Now is the time to build good, life-long habits in hygiene and self-care, not just for ourselves, but for others in our community and the ones we love.

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