Sore eyes have emerged as a notable ocular symptom among patients diagnosed with COVID‑19, according to a recent study published in BMJ Open Ophthalmology. The research, which surveyed 83 individuals who self‑reported anterior‑segment eye complaints, found that 16 % experienced sore eyes, while 18 % reported photophobia and 17 % described itching.
Study details highlight distinct eye‑related patterns
Participants compared eye symptoms during infection with a pre‑pandemic baseline. The analysis showed that the frequency of sore eyes rose significantly in the COVID‑19 state (P = .002). In contrast, other signs typically linked to bacterial conjunctivitis—such as mucus discharge and a gritty sensation—did not reach statistical significance.
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Lead author Shahina Parddan, PhD, director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine, explained the motivation behind the work. “It is known that the eye can be involved during COVID‑19 infection. The term ‘conjunctivitis’ has been used frequently, but conjunctivitis is a broad term, and it can represent many symptoms in the eye, some of which are not shown at all with COVID‑19 infection,” she said.
Implications for treatment
The study suggests that distinguishing viral‑related eye discomfort from bacterial infections matters for patient care. “Yes, as other symptoms of the eye, such as mucopurulent discharge, are not associated with virus infection and need a different type of treatment because they are linked to bacterial conjunctivitis needing antibiotics,” the researcher noted. This distinction could help clinicians avoid unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
Sore eyes were described as a feeling of discomfort or soreness without accompanying mucus, dry patches, or eyelid lesions. The investigators also identified light sensitivity and watery eyes as common co‑occurring features. “They suggest viral infection rather than bacterial infection,” she added, emphasizing the diagnostic value of photophobia and tearing.
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Broader context and preventive measures
We know that around 16% of people have ocular symptoms, and our research suggests that these are felt by people at around the same time as other COVID‑19 symptoms, and they last for just as long. It is therefore important that, in addition to a mask, eyes should be protected as well to reduce the risk of the virus entering the eye.
Future research directions
Unanswered questions remain about how SARS‑CoV‑2 reaches the eye and why only some patients develop ocular manifestations. “We need to ascertain how exactly the eye transmits the virus, what pathways are involved in the transmission, and why it affects some people and not others,” she said. Investigators also plan to examine whether habitual eyewear use modifies risk, a line of inquiry that could inform public‑health recommendations.
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Overall, the findings add nuance to the growing body of evidence that COVID‑19 is not solely a respiratory disease.
Clinicians can now tailor management strategies more precisely.
