An Indiana University optometrist says conjunctivitis can be an early symptom of COVID-19, even when no other symptoms are present.
Dr. Christopher Clark says doctors at the IU Optometry Clinic are looking for upticks in viral conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. He says those cases tend to be milder, meaning people are less likely to go to the hospital.
“They’re people who aren’t going into the hospital, so they are going to be missed by traditional means," Clark says. "So they might be spreading the virus further into the community.”
Clark says he’s not sure how prevalent viral conjunctivitis is from COVID-19 but that he thinks it’s likely about 1 to 2 percent.
He says even with the recent news that there is one confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Indiana, people shouldn't assume they have the virus if they're showing symptoms of pink eye.
“We should be just a little more on the lookout; again rely on your healthcare professionals right now, one person out of a couple million is still a very small percent chance you’re going to have any problems whatsoever," Clark says.
He says moving forward, people should remain calm and not panic.
