Can Coronavirus affect my eyes?

Coronavirus causes fever, cough and shortness of breath which can show up 2 to 14 days after a person is exposed. People with severe infections can develop pneumonia and die from complications of the illness.

Limiting eye exposure can help. Here’s why:

• When a sick person coughs or talks, virus particles can spray from their mouth or nose into another person’s face. You’re most likely to inhale these droplets through your mouth or nose, but they can also enter through your eyes.
• You can also become infected by touching something that has the virus on it — like a table or doorknob — and then touching your eyes.

If you see someone with pink eye, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean that person is infected with coronavirus. But health officials believe viral pink eye, or conjunctivitis, develops in about 1-3% of people with coronavirus.

The following recommendations are from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

1. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for a while.

Contact lens wearers touch their eyes more than the average person. Consider wearing glasses more often, especially if you tend to touch your eyes a lot when your contacts are in. Substituting glasses for lenses can decrease irritation and force you to pause before touching your eye.

2. Wearing glasses may add a layer of protection.

Corrective lenses or sunglasses can shield your eyes from infected respiratory droplets. But they don’t provide 100% security. The virus can still reach your eyes from the exposed sides, tops and bottoms of your glasses. If you’re caring for a sick patient or potentially exposed person, safety goggles may offer a stronger defense.

3. Stock up on eye medicine prescriptions if you can.

Experts advise patients to stock up on critical medications, so that you’ll have enough to get by if you are quarantined or if supplies become limited during an outbreak. But this may not be possible for everyone. If your insurance allows you to get more than 1 month of essential eye medicine, such as glaucoma drops, you should do so. Some insurers will approve a 3-month supply of medication in times of natural disaster. Ask your pharmacist or ophthalmologist for help if you have trouble getting approval from your insurance company. And as always, request a refill as soon as you’re due. Don’t wait until the last minute to contact your pharmacy. 

4. Avoid rubbing your eyes.

While it can be hard to break this natural habit, doing so will lower your risk of infection. If you feel an urge to itch or rub your eye or even to adjust your glasses, use a tissue instead of your fingers. Dry eyes can lead to more rubbing, so consider adding moisturizing drops to your eye routine. If you must touch your eyes for any reason — even to administer eye medicine — wash your hands first with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then wash them again afterwards.

5. Practice safe hygiene and social distancing.

 The CDC offers these general guidelines to slow the spread of disease:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• You should especially wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
• If you can’t get to a sink, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face — particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you cough or sneeze, cover your face with your elbow or a tissue. If you use a tissue, throw it away promptly. Then go wash your hands.
• Avoid close contact with sick people. If you think someone has a respiratory infection, it’s safest to stay 6 feet away.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items in your house, such as doorknobs and counter tops.

This information has been taken from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.