Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 29, 2026 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami in Florida USA have uncovered important evidence showing that persistent eye discomfort in long COVID patients may be closely linked to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, the part of the body that controls involuntary functions such as heart rate blood pressure tear production and pupil response.
New research shows persistent eye pain in long COVID may signal underlying autonomic nerve dysfunction rather
than simple dryness.
Why Eye Symptoms Matter in Long COVID
Long COVID is known to affect multiple organs long after the initial infection clears. Many patients complain of fatigue dizziness heart palpitations and brain fog but eye symptoms are often overlooked. These include dryness burning light sensitivity and even sharp eye pain. This
Medical News report highlights that such symptoms are not just local eye problems but may reflect deeper nerve system involvement.
Who Conducted The Study and Where
The study was carried out by researchers affiliated with the Surgical and Research Services at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. The research team analyzed data from 162 veterans diagnosed with long COVID who were treated at a specialized long COVID clinic.
How The Study Was Done
Participants completed detailed questionnaires measuring dry eye symptoms eye pain and features of nerve related pain such as sensitivity to light wind or temperature. Autonomic nervous system symptoms were assessed using a validated tool that measures issues like dizziness on standing sweating problems digestive complaints and visual disturbances. A subgroup of patients also underwent physical testing that measured changes in blood pressure heart rate and heart rate variability while lying down and standing.
Key Findings Explained Simply
More than three quarters of participants reported significant dry eye symptoms. Those with worse eye discomfort also had much higher scores for autonomic symptoms across almost all body systems. The strongest links were found between eye symptoms and pupillomotor problems which affect how the pupil responds to light and secretomotor problems which affect tear and saliva production. Importantly while clear cut diagnoses like postural tachycardia were uncommon subtle fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate were strongly linked to eye pain especially pain triggered by heat cold or bright light. This suggests that eye pain in long COVID may behave like nerve pain rather than simple dryness.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
The findings suggest that persistent eye pain and dryness may be warning signs of broader nerve instability in long COVID. Treating the eyes alone may not be enough if underlying autonomic dysfunction is not addressed. The study also helps explain why many patients have sev
ere symptoms despite normal eye exams.
Conclusions And Future Directions
In conclusion this research shows that eye pain and dryness in long COVID are strongly connected to widespread autonomic nervous system symptoms and subtle cardiovascular instability. These findings support the idea that long COVID is a multisystem nerve related condition and that eye complaints should be taken seriously as part of the whole disease picture. Recognizing this connection may help guide more effective multidisciplinary treatment strategies and improve quality of life for long COVID sufferers.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Brain Sciences
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/16/2/135
For the latest on Long COVID, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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