Coronovirus (COVID-19) can affect your eyes!

COVID-19 has been found to affect various organs, commonly the lungs and respiratory tract. However, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can also cause complications in the eye.

Just like any viral respiratory infection, COVID-19 can present as a Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink-eye. However, conjunctivitis has rarely been noted in less than 3% of people with active infection.

COVID-19 has also been shown in some cases to cause complications in the deeper structures of the eye, such as loss of oxygen and hemorrhaging, which can lead to the need for injections in the eye or irreversible damage down the line. The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. This thin inner lining is where the Optic Nerve inserts into the eye. The retina and the optic nerve are responsible for receiving and perceiving light from the outer environment and sending it to the brain for processing. When compromised, the patient is at risk for vision loss.

At Woodley Optometry, we check the health of the Retinal structures and Optic Nerve in two ways.
1. Optos Retinal Imaging: Takes a photo of the innermost portion (retina and optic nerve) as well as the periphery of the eye. This photo can reveal conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, melanomas, retinal detachments and more!

2. OCT Scan: Takes a scan of the innermost portion (retina and optic nerve) in layers. Also helpful in the detection of glaucoma, macular degeneration and inflammation/hemorrhaging of the eye.

Both Optos Imaging and the OCT Scan take just a few seconds to perform and results are available right away. There is no downtime, pain, or discomfort associated with both tests. The Optos scan is a part of a Comprehensive Eye Exam. This photo is taken every year and compared to the years prior to monitor for any changes or new lesions. The OCT scan will be done only when deemed medically necessary by your doctor.

Schedule your Comprehensive Eye Exam today for a baseline retinal image!

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31014-X/fulltext?fbclid=IwAR2tjqviGkZaA0aGYx8qiv6uZPL9gZdZYDoSTaEa2wFyrhqzZz1Vbp6ts4s
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/coronavirus-versus-allergies-pink-eye