Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 15, 2025 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
Medical News: Unusual Case Reveals Link Between Dry Eye, Fatigue, Sleep Problems and Restless Legs
Researchers from the University of Naples Federico II, Salerno Hospital University, “Luigi Curto” Hospital in Polla, and the University Hospital of Parma have documented a rare case where a single patient developed a combination of persistent dry eye, visual fatigue (asthenopia), general tiredness, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome (RLS) after a COVID-19 infection. While each of these symptoms has been individually linked to long COVID, their appearance together – and simultaneous improvement with a single treatment plan – has not been previously reported.
Long COVID Triggers Rare Mix of Eye and Neurological Issues
The patient, a 59-year-old man with no prior eye problems, developed burning eyes, a foreign body sensation, headaches, and vision strain shortly after recovering from COVID-19. He also experienced severe tiredness, sleep disruption, and RLS. As described in this
Medical News report, initial eye examinations confirmed significant tear film instability and corneal irritation.
Targeted Treatment and Recovery
Doctors prescribed a combination of artificial tears containing hyaluronic acid and vitamins, an oral multivitamin complex rich in B vitamins, antioxidants, choline, and neuroprotective compounds, as well as evening melatonin to improve sleep. After six weeks, the man reported dramatic improvements – his eye irritation vanished, reading speed more than doubled, headaches eased, and both sleep problems and RLS disappeared.
Why the Symptoms May Be Connected
The study suggests that these diverse symptoms may share common roots in post-viral neuroinflammation, immune system imbalance, oxidative stress, and disruption of the autonomic nervous system – the body’s network that controls involuntary functions like tear production and muscle activity. Damage to small nerve fibers in the cornea and altered dopamine function may explain both the persistent eye strain and the restless legs.
Nutrients like choline, vitamins B1, B5, B6, B12, C, D3, E, coenzyme Q10, zinc, and selenium – all included in the therapy – are believed to support nerve health, reduce inflammation, improve tear production, and stabilize sleep cycles. Melatonin, in particular, may help restore healthy sleep and indirectly ease RLS.
Implications for Long COVID Care
This case highlights the need for clinicians to view ocular and neurological complaints in long COVID patients as potentially interconnected rather than separate problems. The authors suggest that a multimodal, non-drug therapy approach may benefit patients with similar symptom clusters, even outside the context of COVID-19, though larger studies are required.
The findings also underscore the importance of early recognition and integrated treatment of long COVID’s less obvious effects, which can significantly impair daily life and work producti
vity.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Life.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/8/1289
For the latest on Long COVID, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/shocking-eye-and-brain-disorders-found-in-covid-19-patients-in-nepal
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-might-be-quietly-damaging-your-eyes-without-you-even-realizing-it
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-infection-triggers-eye-nerve-damage
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