"Eye Migraine" Complaints Rise During Pandemic

The eyes are among our organs most affected by the months-long Covid-19 pandemic. Long hours spent on digital meetings or remote education have required both adults and children to be locked to screens for extended periods, increasing eye complaints.

Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu, Ophthalmologist at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, notes that what is commonly called 'eye migraine' — a sharp pain beginning in the eyeball and radiating to the same-side half of the head — is becoming increasingly common, and certain precautions should not be neglected. Ophthalmologist Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu explained the eye complaints that have become widespread during the pandemic and the measures that should be taken, providing important warnings and recommendations. Migraine, which significantly reduces quality of life through severe headaches, has now become a major concern for the eyes as well. Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu, Ophthalmologist at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, notes that what is popularly called 'eye migraine' has become increasingly widespread during the pandemic due to months of intense active use of the eyes, observing that "As a result of increased time spent at computers both in adults and children, reduced blink rate, shortened sleep duration, blue light intensity reflected from screens and dry eye caused by air conditioning and similar factors have recently intensified complaints of eye burning, irritation, aching and tearing. Additionally, pain triggered by sleep irregularity and stress, beginning around the eyes and radiating to the head. This condition, which we can describe as eye migraine, also manifests as light sensitivity and lines around lights and radiates sharp pain that reduces quality of life and impairs concentration," he states.

These rules are critical for eye health!

Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu emphasizes that during the Covid-19 pandemic, work from home, digital meetings and remote education have led to neglect of necessary eye health rules, resulting in increased eye diseases, noting that prolonged near focusing particularly strains accommodation capacity in developing children and leads to myopia progression. Emphasizing the importance of regularly resting the eyes by closing them during the day, not forgetting to blink at the screen, keeping screen brightness at a lower level than the environment, maintaining a distance of 50-55 cm between the eyes and screen, and focusing 20 seconds every 20 minutes at a distance of 5-6 metres from the monitor, Ophthalmologist Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu states that these measures are critical for protecting eye health.

Healthy nutrition and quality sleep are essential!

In addition to environmental measures, a smoke-free environment, quality and sufficient sleep and healthy nutrition are paramount for protecting eye health. Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu notes that sleeping an average of 7-8 hours in a well-ventilated, dark room will rest our eyes as well as our entire body, while emphasizing that healthy and balanced nutrition, particularly foods such as carrots, oranges, cabbage and spinach should not be missing from our tables.

Do not dismiss eye redness!

Conjunctivitis, which is among the most common complaints affecting the eyes and causes redness, crusting, tearing and irritation, can develop in 1-3 percent of Covid-19 patients; and generally alongside conjunctivitis fever and fatigue can be seen, and in children diarrhoea can also occur, notes Ophthalmologist Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu, stating "When similar complaints develop in the eye, the causative agents could be bacteria, other viruses and allergies, therefore medical examination is very important." Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu emphasizes that to prevent Covid-19 transmission through the eyes, wearing glasses instead of contact lenses, not rubbing the eyes, paying attention to hand hygiene and using paper towels is important, adding: "This virus transmits to our eyes in two ways. When we touch something with the virus on it, such as a table or door handle, and then touch our eyes, the virus is transmitted. Sometimes viruses scattered into the air from a person across from us through coughing, sneezing or speaking loudly enter our eyes.  

To prevent glasses from fogging!

Wearing glasses while wearing a mask can sometimes be uncomfortable. Dr. Emel Çolakoğlu offers the following suggestions to prevent glasses from fogging due to the mask:

• You can tighten the wired part of the mask at the top according to your nose; you can secure it with double-sided tape.
• You can obtain an anti-fog spray or cloth for glasses from optical stores. However, do not use frequently to avoid damaging the anti-reflection property of the lens.
• You can have an anti-fog coating applied to your glasses.
• You can wash glasses with liquid soap twice a day. After washing, allow to air dry. The soapy water will leave a thin film layer on the lens and by reducing surface tension will prevent water molecules from forming a fog layer.