Conjunctivitis or pink eye could also be common during spring as an indication of seasonal allergies. However it has also increased in occurrence these days due to the most recent COVID-19 variant, XBB.1.16, also often called Arcturus.

Conjunctivitis as a symptom of COVID-19 is just not recent. Earlier variants also reported it in about 1% to three% of patients, in accordance with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. There have not been updated tracking reports of this symptom for a while.

But this week, eye doctors and infectious disease specialists witnessed a spike in pink eye cases alongside the spread of the most recent omicron subvariant. Anecdotal evidence showed children could also be more prone to developing the symptom once infected with Arcturus.

So what’s the very best thing to do once you or someone you’re keen on has the symptom?

Dr. Ronald Benner, an optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association, beneficial seeing a watch doctor if one suspects an infection as their eyes turn out to be inflamed or red with other symptoms, including itching, discomfort and discharge.

Doctors often prescribe eye drops with antibiotics if it’s bacterial pink eye. For those attributable to allergies, an easy eye drop can already alleviate the itching and puffiness of the eyes, Benner explained via USA Today.

For viral infections, the symptom is self-limiting and can go away in seven to 10 days said Benner. But to make sure comfort while battling the illness, one can use a cool washcloth or artificial tears.

He added that patients ought to be more careful about their hygiene after they have pink eye. They need to avoid touching their eyes, wash their hands continuously with soap and water and never share personal items equivalent to eye makeup with others.

Dr. Jeff Pettey, an associate professor on the University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, also told USA Today that COVID pink eye is analogous to other pink eye viral infections.

“Symptoms can range from very mild to severe with eye pain and cloudy vision from cornea involvement. If someone has pink eye with other symptoms of COVID, they need to test or seek medical care,” Pettey said.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially designated XBB.1.16 as a variant of interest after noticing how fast-growing the brand new strain has turn out to be. The omicron subvariant is now the dominant strain in India. It has also been spotted in 32 other countries.

But while Arcturus is deemed highly contagious or fast spreading attributable to its recent mutation, the variant doesn’t appear to cause severe illness, with most cases reporting only mild symptoms.

Artistic representation of COVID testing.
fernando zhiminaicela – Pixabay

Published by Medicaldaily.com