Original title: After being infected with the new crown, how to relieve eye symptoms
Science and Technology Daily reporter Luo Chaoshu
Recently, some netizens said that after being infected with the new coronavirus, symptoms such as eye pain, redness, tearing, and even blurred vision appeared.
Earlier, the latest research findings published in “Nature Communications” showed that the new coronavirus can cause eye discomfort and inflammation of the retina. The large-scale prospective observational study published by The Lancet also showed that even after being vaccinated, 24.8%-27.7% of people infected with the new crown will still experience eye pain.
It causes eye discomfort in two ways
“Novel coronavirus infection is a systemic disease, not just a respiratory disease. As we all know, aerosol transmission is the main transmission route of the novel coronavirus. People exposed to the aerosol environment of the novel coronavirus can cause eye damage in two ways Infection, which causes symptoms such as dry eyes, redness, pain and even blurred vision and Technology Daily which on the one hand the new coronavirus can pass through the conjunctiva on the surface of the eye and even the tissues of the mucous membranes such as the cornea directly infect eye tissue; on the other hand, after the new coronavirus enters the human body, some people will develop viremia, and the virus will spread to various body tissues through blood circulation, such as nerve tissue.
Studies have shown that the new coronavirus is likely to have eye tropism. In previous animal experiments, some researchers tried to inoculate rhesus monkeys with the virus through conjunctival inoculation, which induced mild symptoms of new coronavirus infection. In addition, the RNA of the new coronavirus was also detected in the eye conjunctival swabs of 57% of people infected with the new crown, and the detection rate was higher in people with higher disease severity.
Chen Youxin introduced that at present, the proportion of eye infection symptoms after infection with Omicron novel coronavirus strain is not too high, and the most common eye infection symptoms are conjunctivitis symptoms, which mainly manifest as dry eyes and sore eyes, redness, tears, etc., but a very small number of people will develop acute macular retinopathy. During the fundus examination, damage will be found to the macular area, especially the outer retina and ellipsoidal zone. Damage to these areas will cause people to have blurred vision. In addition, after the new coronavirus invades the optic nerve, it will cause optic neuropathy and vision impairment.
Inflammation of the eye surface can be relieved with eye drops
“If only dry eye surface tissue such as conjunctiva or other symptoms of conjunctivitis appear, you can use some eye drops such as sodium hyaluronate, artificial tears, etc., or some antiviral eye drops such as ganciclovir eye drops and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory potions to relieve symptoms.” Chen Youxin said that ocular surface discomfort generally does not lead to vision loss, but if there are fundus lesions such as acute macular retinopathy, it can lead to vision problems in severe cases.High vigilance and active prevention.
“After the occurrence of fundus lesions, hormone therapy is generally used after the patient’s virus test becomes negative, and at the same time supplemented with local neurotrophic support and antioxidant protection drug treatment,” said Chen Youxin .
Blurred vision requires immediate medical attention
Chen Youxin introduced that so far, there is no specific drug for eye infections caused by the new crown virus. To prevent eye discomfort caused by the new crown infection, the most important thing is to strengthen self-protection in normal times. “For example, wearing a mask when going out, doing a good job of hand hygiene and maintaining social distance are all very important means. In addition, medical personnel or ordinary people can also wear masks and goggles when going to hospitals and other places.” Chen Youxin said From a clinical point of view, most patients with mild optic nerve damage can recover well.
Chen Youxin reminded that eye infections are most likely to occur 15 days to 2 months after the onset of a new infection or corona symptoms. If you experience symptoms such as blurred vision and eye pain at this time, you should pay attention and seek medical treatment in time.
“However, the proportion of eye discomfort caused by this wave of new coronavirus infection is relatively low, and the prognosis of most infected patients is also good, so the public should not panic,” said Chen Youxin.
