Sudden Eye Redness and Conjunctivitis? ... It's Best to Get Tested for COVID-19 [Reading Science]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Loss of smell and taste are well-known sensory abnormalities associated with COVID-19. However, a recent study has found that a significant number of patients also experience abnormalities in vision, hearing, and balance. If you suddenly develop red eyes, conjunctivitis, tinnitus, or dizziness, these could be early symptoms of COVID-19 infection, and you should get tested immediately.

According to the international journal Nature on the 5th, a research team led by Professor Zara Zapari from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, analyzed databases from the World Health Organization and the academic paper information site ScienceDirect. They found that among COVID-19 patients, 3.1% reported hearing loss, 4.5% tinnitus, and 12.2% dizziness, indicating auditory and visual abnormalities. Nature pointed out that these findings suggest that, in addition to fever, cough, and loss of smell and taste, auditory, visual, and balance abnormalities should be included in the list of early symptoms to suspect COVID-19 infection. Professor Zapari stated, "It seems that the COVID-19 virus directly affects the auditory system," adding, "The virus penetrates the barrier between the bloodstream and the inner ear."

Regarding this, Professor Lee Gerke, a molecular biology professor at MIT, told Nature, "As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed for nearly two years, there is increasing research on its effects on hearing and vision," explaining, "This shows that the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our body and nerves is greater than previously thought."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There are also studies showing adverse effects on the eyes. A research team at the University of Michigan surveyed 400 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from March to April last year and found that nearly 10% had abnormal eye symptoms or conditions. Professor Shazad Mian from the University of Michigan, who participated in the study, explained, "Ocular symptoms can appear in the early or late stages of COVID-19 infection."

Furthermore, analyzing data accumulated over the past year and a half from various studies on COVID-19 patients, Nature reported that about 11% complained of ophthalmic symptoms. The representative symptoms were conjunctivitis and ocular inflammation. In fact, a survey conducted this year in Iran involving 8,219 COVID-19 patients found that 89% of those with ophthalmic symptoms exhibited these two conditions.

Reference photo.

There were also patients who complained of other symptoms such as dry eyes, redness, itching, blurred vision, photophobia, and the sensation of foreign bodies in the eyes. Particularly, patients on ventilators frequently experience chemosis, which is swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelids. Professor Bhupendra Patel from the University of Utah said, "It is believed that about one-third of people infected with COVID-19 have ophthalmic symptoms," adding, "We are conducting research to determine whether the COVID-19 virus can cause inflammation in the tissues behind the eyes."

There have been cases where the virus was detected in the eyes long after recovery from COVID-19 infection. In January last year, a 65-year-old woman who entered Italy from Wuhan, China, and was diagnosed with COVID-19 showed symptoms of conjunctivitis in both eyes in addition to cough and sore throat. Notably, the virus was still detected in her eyes 27 days after hospitalization. In the Lombardy region of Italy last spring, among 91 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 52 had the virus detected on the surface of their eyes. Professor Mian advised, "About 6% of patients show eye symptoms such as redness or dizziness before other COVID-19 symptoms appear," and added, "From the perspective of caregivers or patients, if your eyes suddenly become red during times like these, you should check whether it is due to COVID-19 infection."