Any solutions for eye/vision issues with long COVID?

Hi @roxannelee,
LC for six years. Migraine with Auras ("white halo" lights in peripheral vision, dancing green dots and red dots center vision, prism color separation), Light sensitivity (and many more).
I have been to neurology (CT Scan w/ imaging looking for blockage in blood vessels neck and head. MRI changes in brain); optometry (eye glasses prescription changed a little). I wear sun glasses indoor (when pain level goes up) and outdoors; ENT (Sinus surgery - I was getting sinus infections above and below eyes. Pressure on eyes). Nausea sometime before migraine. Neurologist requested daily journal - food eaten, when symptoms worse (outside bright sun light, going up and down stairs, getting out of chair - balance, dizzy, light headed (drink 100 to 120 oz water / day - half body weight in ounces). Trying several medications, no clear answer yet.
Best wishes,
🍀

My eye doctor has diagnosed me with severe dry eyes - mine are so dry that when I was diagnosed he said I had scratched my corneas. They have healed, but I have to use eye drops multiple times a day to avoid significant blurred vision and light sensitivity.

He has me using Systane PF drops. They aren't cheap, but they do seem to help.

6yrs ,March 2020, since Covid, No taste/smell still. Other Long covid came on gradually following summer and continues now.
Fatigue, brain fog, lower leg movement uncoordinated, balance issues, the last year started left eye peripheral double vision. Opthamologist says is affected nerve&brain communication. Eyes are ok. Typical of MayoClinic LC Clinic 2023 explanations for my other issues. My Primary doc has put me on RX vitamin D, labs showed low for 1st time ever. Standard of care. Possible could also help me with fatigue/fog? Our Midwest winter winding down so I will on purpose get outside more as well.

I have severe dry eye post covid that gets worse if I eat carbohydrates like bread or sugar. I now have allergies to these foods and others as a gift from the covid fairy. I have been using Systane Complete PF eyedrops with the best results so far...but still have to apply drops 2-3 times a day. My eyelids will also swell if I eat food I am now allergic to. ...and can water profusely.

I had migraines pre-covid that is treated with quarterly Botox shots but now have more partial headaches (sometimes with aura) and sensitively to light post covid 6 years but sunglasses are only needed when outside.

Ever been on Elmiron, medication for Interstitial Cystitis? The result could be Pigmentary Maculopathy. See a Retina Specialist. I have LC and also, Interstitial Cystitis. Good Luck.

Yes, I too have vision changes. It started with constant sever pain , headache, behind my right eye when first diagnosed with Covid in 2021. I noticed changes first in the right and then both changed. Increased blurry vision, increased light sensitivity, double vision and increased dryness. Now prism glasses and sunglasses and drops are the norm.

Hello,
Yes I have vision changes that started during my first bad bout of Covid in 2021.
Light sensitivity and seeing shapes of light, only in my peripheral vision. If I am standing near a wall, I will see these shapes travel across the wall.
Very creepy for the first 6 months or so, now I am pretty used to it.
Good luck with your situation.

@jwatzig still have moving spots, double vision & really clear vision with migraines. 2-3 times a week but it is better than everyday. Every test comes back in normal range. It happens after doing anything. Sometimes nothing just stress. They say the weird vision is migraines. Wore purple glasses from OT, cold packs & dark room sort of helps. Got feeling, taste & smell back after getting Paxlovid for my 3rd time with Covid Jan 2024 after no taste/smell from my original infection April 2020. Taking Aimovig injections for a preventative & sumatriptan (buy directly from Costsplus drugs - mark Cuban’s company.) insurance will only give you 9 tablets for a month. I get 30 tablets prescribed by a neurologist. Good luck 🍀

I still have double periphal vision left eye & an annoying twitch in the upper lid. Now right eye having some blurry, and occasional twitching in lower lid. Opthamologist says nerve to muscle issue and eyes are fine. Still 20/20
I use readers to avoid stressing. Sunglasses. Rest with eyes closed 20min every now&then throughout the day, which I'm supposed to do for other LC symptoms as well. This eye issue started spring 2025.

I wake up with really dry eyes sometimes. I have worn contacts since the age of 13 with no issues. Now, since this damn virus, I do have problems wearing the contacts for long periods. I also know that my vision is getting worse, but not sure if it is LC, age or both.