Can Covid Cause Light Sensitivity?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Yes, COVID-19 can sometimes cause light sensitivity, although this is just one of a range of eye symptoms that some patients may experience.

Explanation

COVID-19 can affect different parts of the body, including the eyes. Some patients with COVID-19 have reported experiencing eye redness, irritation, and light sensitivity. This light sensitivity, known as photophobia, may be linked to the inflammation or irritation caused by the virus. When the eyes become inflamed or dry, even normal light can feel uncomfortable or painful. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will have eye problems or light sensitivity. The severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person. If you or someone you know is dealing with unusual eye discomfort or light sensitivity during or after a COVID-19 infection, it is wise to seek advice from an eye care professional. They can help assess the condition and suggest treatments to reduce discomfort and protect vision while you recover.

(References)

Singh K, Pattebahadur R, Shete V, Bang P, Mishra M, Gade N. The Characteristics of Ocular Findings and the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Tears of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients. Cureus. 2023 Sep 2;15(9):e44589. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44589. PMID: 37795067; PMCID: PMC10545887.
Hu K, Patel J, Swiston C, et al. Ophthalmic Manifestations of Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Updated 2024 May 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing
SeyedAlinaghi S, Mehraeen E, Afzalian A, Dashti M, Ghasemzadeh A, Pashaei A, Masoud Afsahi A, Saeed Tamehri Zadeh S, Amiri Fard I, Vafaee A, Molla A, Shahidi R, Dadjou A, Amin Habibi M, Mirzapour P, Dadras O. Ocular manifestations of COVID-19: A systematic review of current evidence. Prev Med Rep. 2024 Jan 14;38:102608. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102608. PMID: 38375172; PMCID: PMC10874879.

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