Happy Thursday, hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy . Today, in my blog I am collaborating with Dr. Bahareh Golbahar, Optometrist,at Village Eyes Optometry to educate you about Covid-19 and how it can affect your eye health :
" Not too much information is available obviously, based on data so far, doctors believe that 1-3% of people with Covid-19 will get conjuctivitis, also called pinkeye. It happens when the virus infects a tissue called conjunctiva, which covers the white part of your eye or the inside of your eyelids. Symptoms would include redness, irritation, and watery discharge. The virus is shed in human tears so, yet another reminder...Do Not Touch Your Eyes. By touching your eyes, you can transmit the virus to yourself and to others as well. This might be a good time for contact lens wearers to give their eyes a break and wear their glasses outdoors as the glasses provide an additional barrier against exposure to the virus."
If you have conjunctivitis, it doesn't necessarily mean you have Covid-19, as Covid produces other well known symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath. The more likely causes are the many different viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and allergens that can irritate your eyes.
Many forms of conjunctivitis go away with over-the-counter treatments in about 1-2 weeks.
Contacts can cause dry eyes, so be extra careful to not rub them. Have on hand a bottle of artificial tears or cold compress to turn to if you feel the urge to itch. My favorite artificial tear that I usually recommend to patients at the pharmacy is Systane Ultra preservative free.
Also because of the coronavirus outbreak it is best to review your cleaning habits when it comes to your contact lenses. And, maybe consider something easier like dailies which you don't have to clean at all, you can just wear them for the day and then before you go to sleep you just ditch them.
If you are sensitive to allergies, an over-the counter allergy drop medication, such as olopatadine, or ketotifen, can help curb itchiness. Always ask your doctor/and or pharmacist before initiating any treatments for your eyes.
Wash your hands often, and pandemic or not, make it a habit of never touching/rubbing your eyes.
Stay well and stay healthy. Dr. Naghmeh and Dr. Bahareh
