Coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms of COVID-19, but a recent study from the University of Alberta found that the pink eye can be a possible primary symptom of COVID-19.
It showed that eye disease conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis can also be primary symptoms. People who have the pink eye condition should be tested for COVID-19.
Keratoconjunctivitis is inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called keratitis; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis.
The conjunctiva is the clear, thin membrane that covers part of the front surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.
The study is published in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. One author is Carlos Solarte, an assistant professor of ophthalmology.
In March, a 29-year-old woman arrived at the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Eye Institute of Alberta with a severe case of conjunctivitis and minimal respiratory symptoms.
After the patient had undergone several days of treatment with little improvement—and after it had been determined that the woman had recently returned home from Asia—a resident ordered a COVID-19 test. The test came back positive.
The team says there was no fever and no cough, so they weren’t led to suspect COVID-19 at the beginning.
But it turned out that the main presentation of the illness was not a respiratory symptom. It was the eye.
According to the team, academic studies at the outset of the pandemic identified conjunctivitis as a secondary symptom in about 10% to 15% of COVID-19 cases.
Since then, scientists have gained a greater knowledge of how the virus can transmit through and affect the body’s mucous membrane system, of which the conjunctiva—the clear, thin membrane that covers the front surface of the eye—is an extension.
While the finding provides important new health information for the public, it also makes eye exams more complicated for ophthalmologists and staff.
The patient in this case eventually recovered well without any issues. But several of the residents and staff who were in close contact with the patient had to be under quarantine.
Patients coming into an eye clinic with conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis are now treated as potential cases of COVID-19 and extra precautions are taken by the staff.
Workers performing an eye exam are strongly advised to wear personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to the illness.
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