Red eyes are indicative of the symptoms of the Covid coronavirus

The COVID-19 outbreak has now caused more than 1,400,000 cases worldwide and around 80,000 people have died. The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms. However, recently there was news that red eyes could be a symptom of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Is that right? Check out the full explanation below.

Symptoms of the coronavirus are characterized by red eyes

COVID-19 is a disease that attacks the human respiratory system, so when someone is infected they will show flu-like symptoms. Starting from high fever, dry cough, to shortness of breath.

In certain cases, people infected with coronavirus experience problems with their digestive system, such as diarrhea. In fact, there are not a few positive COVID-19 patients who do not have any symptoms but transmission can still occur.

In addition, recently the American Academy of Ophthalmology announced that red eyes can be an indication of the symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus. How could this be?

This is evidenced by research from JAMA Network. Of the 38 COVID-19 patients, twelve of them had pink eye (conjunctivitis) and the other two patients had fluid in their eyes and nose.

This condition is very possible considering the conjunctiva is a layer of tissue that is quite thin and transparent. This layer serves to protect the eyelids and and cover the whites of the eyes.

When touched by dirty hands and there may be a virus on the surface, it is possible that the coating will be irritated and reddened.

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In addition, one of the reasons why conjunctivitis can occur is a viral infection associated with the flu or the upper respiratory tract.

This means that the virus can spread when someone rubs the infected eye and touches another person, especially during an eye exam.

Although the number of cases of patients showing symptoms of coronavirus with red eyes is not that many, experts still urge doctors to remain vigilant. Starting from washing hands regularly, using personal protective equipment, and efforts to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.

Replace your contact lenses with regular glasses

In addition to maintaining cleanliness and body health by regularly washing hands, it turns out that contact lens users are advised not to use them for a while.

The recommendation not to touch the face is a rule that doctors make to prevent infection with COVID-19. If you wear contact lenses, you may be more likely to touch or rub your eyes every day.

This applies to inserting, removing and storing according to the contact lens wear regulations. As a result, red eyes that are an indication of the symptoms of coronavirus may occur.

Most people may feel more comfortable wearing contact lenses than glasses. Either because it improves the appearance or the eyeglass lenses are too heavy.

In fact, there are several reasons that make wearing glasses much better than contact lenses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the advantages of glasses is that they provide extra protection so you don't touch your eyes frequently.

This does not mean that glasses can prevent transmission of infection because there is no research that proves this.

In addition, there are several things that need to be considered, when switching from contact lenses to ordinary glasses as follows.

• Stop wearing contact lenses if you experience pain and reddened eyes.
• Switch to glasses if you are in frequent contact with positive COVID-19 patients.
• Clean glasses every day with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Don't forget to dry the glasses with a lint-free cloth to prevent scratching the lenses.

It is permissible to wear contact lenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as…

For those of you who may not be accustomed to returning to wearing ordinary glasses and still choosing contact lenses, this is of course allowed.

However, there are a number of recommendations that need to be followed so that red eyes that may be a symptom of the coronavirus do not occur.

According to the American Optometric Association, here are some rules for wearing contact lenses during a pandemic.

• Keep washing your hands regularly with soap and water. Then, dry with paper towels.
• Follow contact lens replacement rules. Either daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Do not sleep when wearing contact lenses, because the eye is at risk of infection.
• Clean the lenses every night with a disinfectant according to a doctor's prescription.
• Discard the solution in the lens case every morning and use it solution new lens.
• Change the contact lens storage container every month so that it is not filled with bacteria.
• Do not use plain water to clean the contacts as this can carry bacteria.

One thing you need to remember and perhaps be good news for contact lens users: contact lenses do not directly infect the eye with the COVID-19 virus.

Contact lens users still need to maintain good hygiene when handling or changing lenses. This is because you will be holding your eyes more often than those who wear glasses.

Eye infections that often occur are pink eye caused by certain viruses. Symptoms of coronavirus and pink eye have been linked to 1-3% of COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, when you experience eye irritation such as redness or pain, contact your doctor immediately for more accurate treatment.