The reason why some variants cause more eye problems than others likely depends on mutations in the virus’s spike protein that make it bond more strongly to cells in the eye, experts say. Pink eye doesn’t usually occur in isolation kids also often have a fever, sore throat, cough or other COVID symptoms, too. Why is Arcturus causing so many red eyes?Īlthough there is not yet an official analysis to quantify the rate of conjunctivitis caused by the latest variant, chatter among experts and early evidence from India suggests that pink eye is fairly common-especially in kids under age 12, says Shahzad Mian, an ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the estimated prevalence in adults is 1 to 3 percent, a number based on research in China. Since then estimates of eye symptoms have ranged from less than 1 percent to more than 30 percent in children, Singh and his colleagues reported in a recent review study that incorporated data from around the world. One early study at Wuhan Children’s Hospital in China reported that 22 percent of kids who were hospitalized with COVID there had eye symptoms. It’s still not clear exactly how often COVID causes conjunctivitis, but it appears to be more common in young people. In fact, one of the first people to flag the existence of SARS-CoV-2 was Li Wenliang, a Chinese ophthalmologist who experts suspect caught the virus from an asymptomatic glaucoma patient. And higher concentrations of the virus in tears are linked to more severe eye symptoms, says Rohan Singh, an ocular immunology fellow at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a Harvard Medical School–affiliated teaching hospital. Like other coronaviruses, including the SARS virus that caused an outbreak in 2002–2003, the COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated in tears. Why does COVID sometimes cause pink eye?Įxperts have known since the pandemic’s beginning that COVID can cause eye symptoms such as pain, itching, burning and the telltale pink hue of conjunctivitis. In addition to viruses, bacterial infections, chemical exposures, allergies, compromised contact lenses and physical trauma can trigger the condition. Influenza, herpesviruses and other viruses can also cause pink eye. Adenovirus is by far the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis and is responsible for 90 percent of such infections. see a health care provider each year for conjunctivitis, often because of viral infections, Patel and a colleague wrote in a review paper. Moran Eye Center.Īn estimated six million people in the U.S. Other symptoms of conjunctivitis can include watery eyes and a sensitivity to brightness as a result of an inflamed cornea, which splits light like frosted glass, says Bhupendra Patel, a plastic surgeon and specialist in eye disorders at the University of Utah’s John A. This inflammation causes blood vessels to become engorged, which is what makes eyes looks red or pink, says Thomas Steinemann, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pink eye, known to doctors as conjunctivitis, describes inflammation of the conjunctiva-a thin, transparent mucous membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball. Scientific American asked experts about why Arcturus appears to be targeting the eyes and when you should consult a medical provider. Still, knowing that pink eye might result from a COVID infection can help people detect it sooner and prevent further transmission. While bloodshot eyes can look alarming, experts say, viral pink eye isn’t usually anything to worry about on its own, and Arcturus is not showing signs of being more dangerous than previous variants. The World Health Organization has categorized Arcturus as a “variant of interest,” which means it has genetic changes that could affect its behavior, along with an advantage over other variants in circulation.Įverywhere it goes, Arcturus has generated reports of red, irritated eyes, especially in children. It was first detected in India, where it has been spreading quickly, but it has been identified in dozens of countries and now makes up more than 12.5 percent of cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The strain, known officially as XBB.1.16 and colloquially as Arcturus, is a subvariant of Omicron. A new variant of the virus that causes COVID is drawing international attention, not just for its rapid spread but for its tendency to cause one unexpected symptom: conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.”
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