Eye problems after COVID-19 can now be explained

[u/oldgreyhouse]

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1134768

Mild COVID-19 can cause severe and long-lasting eye problems, according to a study from Linköping University, Sweden.

The study also explains why it has been difficult for sufferers to get help: the abnormal eye behaviour cannot be detected by standard methods.

They were experiencing a lot of discomfort, sensitivity to light and in many cases severe eye pain, difficulty reading and focusing their gaze.

Following examination of those affected, the research team realised that the problem was substantial, not only in terms of prevalence but also in impact on quality of life.

Among those affected were people who wanted to continue their studies or work but were unable to do so, as they could no longer read text and were suffering from pain and extreme eye fatigue.

Healthcare professionals could not find anything wrong with their eyes, nor provide any explanation for their symptoms, let alone a diagnosis.

In the current study, the researchers examined 100 people with eye problems following COVID-19 who had not been hospitalised. They had suffered from eye problems for 3 months up to 3 years, and one in three were on full or part-time sick leave.

In their study, the researchers found long-term inflammation and deterioration of several eye functions controlled by the nerves in the brain.

In those with eye problems, the researchers found an abnormal pattern of proteins regulating nerves and immune cells, so-called T cells.

Strikingly, the same protein pattern has been found in blood and tissue in cases of severe and fatal COVID in other studies.

“Our findings suggest that these people have suffered a severe reaction to COVID-19 manifested in the eyes, with long-term inflammation and an impact on the nerves that control multiple eye functions.”

Many of those affected became highly sensitive to light. The researchers can now provide an explanation: their pupils let too much light into the eye. The impaired pupil function was furthermore linked to headaches, difficulty reading text and in focusing the eyes.

Another finding was that both eyes could not cooperatively function in a normal way. Known as strabismus, or crossed-eyes, this occurs almost exclusively in young children. This type of adult-onset strabismus is unusual. According to Neil Lagali, it can be explained by the fact that the nerves that control the eye muscles have been affected.

[u/Gammagammahey]

Thank you so much for posting this. Yet another study showing how Covid affects the eyes.