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Eye & Vision Disorders
Question #16028
46 days ago
82

flu eye - #16028

Rhea

I am really concerned about something I’ve been dealing with lately. Last week, I got hit with what seemed like a bad flu. Coughing, fever, you know the drill. But then, about three days in, I started noticing something odd. My eyes felt super dry and kind of itchy, and I couldn't shake this weird sensation. Honestly, I thought it was just allergies at first, like the flu eye thing that's been going around. But then the redness kicked in, and it looked like I had picked a fight and lost! I mean, could this really be linked to the flu? I don't remember reading anything like "flu eye" in the pamphlets at the clinic. Have any of you faced something similar? Is flu eye a real thing, or am I just going crazy? The eye drops I tried help a lil, but I’m not sure if that's doing enough, or if I should just ride it out till the flu clears. Ugh, it’s so frustrating! The doctor didn’t say much about eye stuff when I saw them. Did this happen to anyone else when they had the flu? I wanna know if the flu eye symptoms are common or if there's something else at play here. Any advice would be appreciated!

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Doctors’ responses

The symptoms you’re experiencing—dryness, itching, redness—can indeed be linked to a viral infection like the flu. While “flu eye” itself isn’t a recognized medical term, what you’re describing could be conjunctivitis, which sometimes occurs alongside flu. Viruses that cause the flu can also lead to irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear lining of your eye. It’s not unusual to experience these eye symptoms during or following a respiratory infection, as the infection can affect different parts of the body other than the respiratory system. The flu can cause systemic effects, meaning it can affect multiple bodily systems, and during your body’s immune response, your eyes can become more vulnerable to irritation. Allergic reaction is another potential cause for similar symptoms, especially if you’re prone to them, but given the temporal association with the flu, conjunctivitis is quite plausible. For now, using over-the-counter artificial tears can help alleviate dryness. Ensure it’s the preservative-free kind if you’re using them frequently, and try using a cold compress to reduce redness and itching. However, if symptoms worsen or don’t resolve alongside your flu, or you experience vision changes or significant pain, you should seek evaluation from a healthcare provider to rule out bacterial conjunctivitis or other complications. Be cautious about rubbing your eyes to prevent any potential spread or worsening of irritation. Flu symptoms typically improve in about a week with rest, hydration, and proper self-care, but if your eye symptoms persist beyond that timeframe or show sudden changes, consultation with an ophthalmologist would be prudent.

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