Written by Nishika Reddy, MD | September 2023

Key takeaways:

• About 1 in 10 people develop eye symptoms when they have a COVID-19 infection. 
• Conjunctivitis — an eye infection — is the most common eye problem that’s caused by COVID.
• COVID can also cause eye pain along with dry eye, redness, and blurred vision.

By now, we all know that COVID-19 affects important organs like the lungs and the heart. But did you know that COVID can also affect your eyes and vision? Studies show that COVID can affect all layers of the eye, starting at the cornea and ending at the retina. Here’s what you should know about how COVID infection can impact your eye health. 

What eye symptoms can COVID-19 cause?

People who get sick with COVID can develop many different eye symptoms. The most commonly reported ones are: 

• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity
• Redness (bloodshot eyes)
• Itching
• Yellow or green discharge
• Blurry vision

People may notice these symptoms in one or both eyes.

Can COVID-19 cause an eye infection?

Yes. COVID can cause eye infections. Like many other viruses, COVID can cause conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.” This happens when the virus infects the outer layer of the eye, called the conjunctiva. COVID conjunctivitis is the most common eye problem the COVID virus causes. And news reports suggest that Omicron variants are more likely to cause pink eye than older variants.

There’s no medication that can cure COVID conjunctivitis. The infection will go away on its own over time. Antibiotic eye drops can’t cure COVID conjunctivitis. 

Your healthcare provider might recommend artificial tear drops, which will help relieve some of your symptoms. The drops will also keep your eyes moist, which is important for the overall health of your eyes. 

What are the most common eye problems linked to COVID-19?

About 1 in 10 people with COVID develop an eye-related symptom, like eye pain or redness. Most often, these symptoms are from COVID conjunctivitis. But COVID can cause other eye conditions, too, including:

• Chronic dry eye: COVID can cause a condition called dry eye. COVID can also make dry eye worse for people who already have the condition. 
• Corneal nerve damage: This can lead to blurred vision and eye pain. People with corneal nerve damage have an increased risk of eye infections and can get scars on their cornea. 
• Uveitis: Uveitis is inflammation of the front part of the eye. People with uveitis experience eye redness, sensitivity to light, and eye pain. Uveitis can cause vision loss. 
• Retinal changes: The retina is the back part of the eye that processes images. COVID can cause bleeding and inflammation in the retina. This can affect your vision. 

How can you treat COVID-19 eye symptoms?

If you’re experiencing eye symptoms during your COVID illness, there are some things you can do to relieve your symptoms.

Cool compress

You can run a wash cloth under cool or cold water and then lay it over your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. This can help ease redness and itching. A cool compress can also help get rid of any crusting from eye discharge.

Warm compress

A warm compress can help your eye’s oil glands open up, which can help lessen dry eye symptoms. You can buy a reusable warm pack that’s made for use over the eyes, or make your own warm pack with a sock and dry white rice. 

Artificial tears and saline rinses

Artificial tears and saline eye rinses are available over the counter (OTC). They can help soothe eye itching and redness. Make sure you only use sterile saline to rinse your eyes. Never use tap water, which can lead to eye infections. Also, not all eye drops are the same. Stick with ones labeled as “artificial tears.” Some eye drops are marketed for eye redness relief, but they may worsen dry eye symptoms. 

Eye ointment

If you’re experiencing dry eye or eye itching, use a lubricating eye ointment before going to bed at night. They’re much thicker than artificial tears, so they will blur your vision. Because of this, they should only be used at bedtime. Eye ointments are available OTC. 

If your COVID eye symptoms don’t get better within 2 to 3 days, see an eye doctor. You may need additional tests or treatments to help your symptoms. If you wear contact lenses, see your eye doctor as soon as you develop symptoms. People who wear contact lenses are at higher risk for developing severe eye infections that pose a risk to vision. 

Can you prevent COVID-19 eye problems?

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COVID, there are several things you can do to protect your eyes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, as much as possible.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If you wear contact lenses, make sure you are cleaning and storing your lenses properly.
• Don’t share towels or other personal items that go near your face and eyes.

If you start to have new symptoms — like blurry vision, redness, or eye pain — see an eye doctor for a complete eye exam. A complete eye exam will allow the eye doctor to give you a diagnosis and start appropriate treatment, which can include prescription eye drops.

If your eye doctor recommends eye drops or artificial tears, make sure to use them as directed. Eye drops can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision safe. If you notice your symptoms getting worse even with treatment, get in touch with your eye doctor right away.

The bottom line

COVID can affect your eyes. In fact, about 1 in 10 people develop an eye symptom from COVID like redness, itching, or discharge. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and dry eye are the most common eye problems that develop with COVID infection. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COVID and you develop any eye symptoms like redness, tearing, wateriness, or blurry vision, make sure to see an eye doctor as soon as possible.