Are Itchy Eyes a Sign of COVID-19?   

Are Itchy Eyes a Sign of COVID-19?

Are Itchy Eyes a Sign of COVID?

February 09, 2022

Clinical Contributors to this story:
Michael Rosenberg, M.D.

The current Omicron surge has all of us itching with anxiety and Googling symptoms. 

Ophthalmologist, Michael Rosenberg, M.D., weighs in on the latest COVID-query - are itchy eyes a sign of COVID-19? Specifically, are they a symptom of the Omicron variant?

“Yes, you could experience itchy eyes from COVID-19, but it’s pretty uncommon,” says Dr. Rosenberg. 

An Uncommon Symptom of COVID-19 is Pink Eye

A study found that only 1 to 3% of patients had conjunctivitis, or pink eye, from having COVID-19,” shares Dr. Rosenberg. “If you have symptoms of pink eye - pink or red coloring of the eye, swelling, itching or burning, and you have no other accompanying COVID symptoms, it’s unlikely that you have COVID.” 

In most cases, pink eye can be treated at home with symptom relieving techniques and medications like cleaning your eye with a wet cloth, using a cold or warm compress, or lubricating eye drops. If symptoms worsen, you develop a fever, sensitivity to light, or blurry vision, contact your doctor immediately. 

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include: 

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle ache 
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Practice Hand Washing & Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

“Pink eye is commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, so similar to COVID-19, close contact with an infected person can spread the infection. Both pink eye and COVID can enter your body through the eyes,” says Dr. Rosenberg. 

“It’s generally a good idea to avoid touching your face overall - we use our hands constantly, picking up germs and bacteria from different surfaces, you don’t want any of those coming near your eyes, nose or mouth,” adds Dr. Rosenberg. 

For protection from respiratory infections like COVID-19, the flu and other illnesses, it’s best to: 

  • Wash your hand with warm water and soap frequently 
  • If you must touch your face, wash your hands thoroughly beforehand 
  • Stay up to date on vaccinations for both COVID-19 and the flu
  • Wear a mask and practice safe physical distancing when appropriate 

Next Steps & Resources:


The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

Newsletter

Subscribe to get the latest health tips from our expert clinicians delivered weekly to your inbox.

Why It’s A Bad Idea To ‘Just Get COVID’

Now that the highly contagious Omicron variant is widespread – and because people may experience milder symptoms with Omicron than with previous variants – you may be thinking, “should I just get COVID?”

What You Should Know About COVID Vaccines & Menstrual Cycles

Can a COVID-19 vaccine affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? According to a recently published study, here’s what researchers found:

What is Restless Anal Syndrome and Can COVID-19 Cause It?

Our expert shares what restless anal syndrome is, signs and symptoms, and if COVID-19 can cause this unusual condition.

When to Use an At-Home COVID Test Kit

If you enjoy accomplishing things while staying put, you may even be able to find out whether you test positive for COVID-19 without visiting a testing site

Should We Worry About the Omicron Variant?

The latest COVID-19 variant has stepped on the scene - enter Omicron. 

The Truth About COVID-19 Vaccines

False and misleading information about COVID-19 and vaccines seems to be spreading on social media. Here, we debunk some of the more common claims.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Please read our Privacy Policy or click Accept.
X