Pink Eye Linked to COVID Infection; Could Be the Symptom of New Omicron Variant Arcturus

On May 8, 2023, the World Health Organization announced that COVID is no longer a concern for global health emergencies due to the declining trend of death cases. However, the threat is still present, especially to vulnerable individuals such as the elderly. This means that the virus continues to evolve, and new strains of coronavirus can still emerge.

In January 2023, a new subvariant of the Omicron strain known as XBB.1.16 or Arcturus was detected and has spread to 33 countries. Some of its symptoms include the common signs of earlier strains of COVID, such as fever, fatigue, and coughing. However, an unusual symptom in the form of pink eye or conjunctivitis is also observed. In fact, a distinct aspect of Arcturus is the inflammation of the external region of the eye.

Is There a Need to Worry?

Arcturus does not seem to be more severe than the previous Omicron variants. In fact, the WHO considers the severity and clinical considerations for this variant as low. However, a mutation in the spike protein of Arcturus provides moderate strength of escaping immunity. As a result, Arcturus appears to be more transmissible than the previous strains.

The fact that pink eye has become a symptom of Arcturus is not a matter of concern since other variants of COVID result in the same condition. It is uncommon for pink eye to be the only presenting symptom of COVID, but eye infection happens more frequently in the new strain, especially in children and babies. This was confirmed by St. Luke's University Health Network infectious disease physician Jeffrey Jahre.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, around 1% - 3% of COVID patients have had pink eye as a warning sign. While it is hard to identify if pink eye is COVID-related or due to allergy, people who manifest this infection are recommended to see a doctor. Another concern is that pink-eyed individuals might not observe the other symptoms.

A Closer Look at Conjunctivitis

Pink eye, more formally known as conjunctivitis, refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva or the thin, clear membrane that protects the eyelid and eyeball. When the small blood vessels in this membrane become irritated, the white part of the eye appears reddish or pink. Depending on the root cause, other symptoms of pink eye may also occur.

Various types of pink eye can be observed according to the root cause of the infection. Viral conjunctivitis can occur along with symptoms of cold or other respiratory infections. In this type of conjunctivitis, watery discharge is observed in one eye and may spread to the other eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis sometimes occurs with an ear infection and is characterized by a discharge that causes the eyelids to stick together. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis occurs with other signs of allergies, such as itchy nose, sneezing, or asthma. This type can result in swollen eyes with intense itching and tearing.