Conjunctivitis caused by Covid-19

Emini, Sheribane and Gazepov, Strahil and Eftimova, Biljana and Lazarova, Biljana (2021) Conjunctivitis caused by Covid-19. Knowledge - International Journal, Scientific Papers, 45 (4). pp. 841-845. ISSN 2545-4439

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Abstract

A new type of virus from the coronavirus family has recently been discovered, which has spread rapidly around the world, causing an outbreak of COVID-19 virus caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reaching pandemic proportions in a very short time. This virus is highly contagious and can result in a mild or severe form of disease. According to the World Health Organization WHO, the most common symptoms are: fatigue, fever, high temperature, dry cough, headache, nasal congestion, which can quickly lead to pneumonia. Although less common, COVID-19 can also lead to the development of conjunctivitis or pink eye in about 1‒3% of people. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells by binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor, which is distributed among various tissues as well as the conjunctiva, and therefore it is thought that the surface of the bone tissue may be potential tissue for SARS-CoV-2 so that when the surface of the eye is in contact with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles can cause infection by draining the respiratory system through the nasolacrimal duct. So the ocular manifestation of COVID-19 and ocular transmission of the virus although neglected can be an important source of infection because the surface of the eye has a high tropism for respiratory viruses and also RNA of the coronavirus is found in tears. The ocular symptoms in patients with COVID-19 vary depending on the cause of the inflammation and usually last 5-7 days, but the disease can last up to three weeks and become chronic. Conjunctivitis or pink eye in patients with COVID-19 is manifested by: redness or conjunctival hyperemia, itching or scratching of the eye, eye pain, epiphora, photophobia, swelling or edema of the eyelids, and in more severe forms with serous secretion, follicular reaction in the conjunctiva of the upper and lower eyelids, hemosis, keratoconjunctivitis, very rarely and pseudomembranous inflammation. In the mildest forms the symptoms pass spontaneously in 2-5 days and do not need any special treatment, but in the more severe forms these symptoms are much more emphasized, last longer for 7-14 days or more and because they do not disappear spontaneously, therapy is needed that does not show very good results. Therefore, due to the high transmissibility, high susceptibility of the general population as well as health workers, high morbidity and higher mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 from the common virus, COVID-19 is a major challenge for health authorities and workers. A very important role plays personal protection, too, such as wearing glasses and face shield, mask, gloves, physical distance, to prevent and avoid the transmission of the virus from hand to eye

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	coronavirus, COVID-19, eyes, conjunctivitis
Subjects:	Medical and Health Sciences > Health sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Medical Science
Depositing User:	Strahil Gazepov
Date Deposited:	11 May 2021 11:17
Last Modified:	11 May 2021 11:17
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/28067

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