Conjunctivitis and other ocular manifestation following COVID-19; updated information about transmission of COVID-19 by eye

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, in late December 2019 and was became a pandemic health problem worldwide. In this review, the current evidence related to the ocular transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its common manifestations was studied. According to this review, 7% to 69.4% of patients had at least an ocular symptom following COVID-19. Ocular symptom are bilateral or unilateral conjunctivitis, increased secretion, eye itching and foreign body sensation, epiphora, dry eye, conjunctival congestion, eye pink, conjunctival hyperemia, and chemosis. SARS-CoV-2 particles were found in tears and conjunctiva. Therefore, the transmission of COVID-19 by conjunctiva is possible. Then, it is essential to wear eye shield to protect against developing ocular involvement by COVID-19 because personal glasses and contact lenses cannot protect from COVID-19.

Awareness of computer vision syndrome and related factors among information technology professionals

Background: Extensive use of computers for both professional and personal purpose has led to an increase in computer related health problems. Aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness regarding symptoms and the related factors in computer vision syndrome (CVS) among a group of information technology (IT) professionals.Methods: This study was conducted among 300 IT employees. After obtaining informed consent, structured questionnaire was given and data collected and analyzed.Results: Out of 300 respondents, 194 (64.7%) were males and 106 (35.3%) females. Mean age was 30.5 years.48.3% had more than eight years of computer usage and 77.3% used computers on an average of 8-12 hours per day. About 201 (67%) of the participants had at least one ocular symptom, most common was dryness (96%). 94.7% reported eyestrain and 86.3% reported redness and itching. Dryness and eyestrain were more in males (p<0.05). Dryness, eyestrain and redness were more in those who used computers for more than eight years duration and for 8-12 hours/day (p<0.05). 253 (84.3%) were aware about this syndrome, the main source being internet. The main relief measure adopted was to take a break in between the work hours. Only 51.3% consulted a doctor for their symptoms. Conclusions: In our study though 84.3% of IT professionals were aware of CVS and 67% had at least one ocular symptom, only 51.3% took professional advice for their problems. There is a definite need for awareness about corrective measures and treatment methods to be adopted for CVS among IT professionals.

Sore eyes as the most significant ocular symptom experienced by people with COVID-19: a comparison between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 states

ObjectiveConjunctivitis has been reported in people suffering from COVID-19. However, many ocular symptoms are associated with the term ‘conjunctivitis’ which may be misleading. It is also unknown whether ocular symptoms were different in chronic sufferers of anterior eye diseases, when they were experienced or how long they lasted for compared with other COVID-19 symptoms.MethodsAn online structured questionnaire obtained self-report data from people who had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Data for the type, frequency and duration of different COVID-19 symptoms were ascertained. Anterior eye symptoms experienced by participants in the pre-COVID-19 state were compared with during the COVID-19 state.ResultsData from 83 participants showed that the most reported COVID-19 symptoms were dry cough (66%), fever (76%), fatigue (90%) and loss of smell/taste (70%). The three most common ocular symptoms experienced by participants were photophobia (18%), sore eyes (16%) and itchy eyes (17%). The frequency of sore eyes was significantly higher (p=0.002) during COVID-19 state (16%) compared with pre-COVID-19 state (5%). There were no differences between males and females (p>0.05). 81% of participants reported to have experienced ocular symptoms within 2 weeks of other COVID-19 symptoms, and 80% reported they lasted for less than 2 weeks.ConclusionThe most significant ocular symptom experienced by people suffering from COVID-19 was sore eyes. Other symptoms associated with other types of conjunctivitis, such as mucous discharge and gritty eyes linked to bacterial infection, did not reach significance. The term ‘conjunctivitis’ is too broad and should be used with caution.

Changes in ocular signs and symptoms in patients switching from bimatoprost–timolol to tafluprost–timolol eye drops: an open-label phase IV study

ObjectivesBimatoprost–timolol (bimatoprost 0.03%–timolol 0.5% fixed-dose combination [FDC]) and tafluprost–timolol (tafluprost 0.0015%–timolol 0.5% FDC) eye drops are currently the only topical intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing therapies available as preservative-free (PF) prostaglandin and timolol FDC. The aim of this study was to investigate changes to ocular signs and symptoms when patients with ocular hypertension (OH) or open-angle glaucoma (OAG) switched from PF or benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-preserved bimatoprost–timolol to PF tafluprost–timolol eye drops.DesignThis was a 12-week, open-label, phase IV study.SettingSixteen centres in Finland, Germany, Italy and the UK.ParticipantsPatients with OH or OAG (IOP on medication ≤21 mm Hg), treated with PF or BAK-preserved bimatoprost–timolol for ≥4 weeks before screening, and presenting with conjunctival hyperaemia and ≥1 ocular symptom.InterventionsPatients were switched to PF tafluprost–timolol once daily in the treated eye(s).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary endpoints were change from screening to week 12 in conjunctival hyperaemia and worst ocular symptom. The secondary outcome measures were changes from screening in ocular signs (other than conjunctival hyperaemia) and symptoms at week 12.ResultsOf 123 enrolled patients, 121 were included in the intention-to-treat dataset, of which all were Caucasian and 54.5% were female; 76 patients used BAK-preserved bimatoprost–timolol and 45 used PF drops. Conjunctival hyperaemia and severity of worst ocular symptom following switch to PF tafluprost–timolol significantly reduced from screening to week 12 in all patients (p<0.001). The percentage of patients with ocular signs and symptoms was significantly reduced at week 12 compared with screening (p<0.001). IOP was not affected by the change of treatment.ConclusionsSwitching from BAK-preserved or PF bimatoprost–timolol to tafluprost–timolol reduced both signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease with no clinically relevant effect on IOP.Trial registration numberEudraCT2014-005273-37; Results.