Conjunctivitis in COVID-19 Adenoviral conjunctivitis
Onset Abrupt Abrupt
Unilateral/bilateral Unilateral ++
Bilateral + Unilateral or bilateral (often sequentially bilateral)
Conjunctival injection Mild or very mild Varies in severity
Follicular reaction + +
Chemosis ± ±
Eyelid swelling and erythema – ±
Conjunctival petechiae /subconjunctival hemorrhage – ±
Discharge + ++
Epithelial punctate keratitis – ±
Corneal infiltrates – ±
Membrane/pseudomembrane formation – ±
Concurrent upper respiratory tract infection ± ±
Symptoms Very mild-mild Mild-severe
Natural history Self-limited within 2–4 days Self-limited within 5–14 days (could get worse during the first days)
Potential sequelae Not Known Severe cases: conjunctival scarring, symblepharon, subepithelial corneal infiltrates, decreased vision