Published: 27 March 2020 | Last updated: 15 September 2026 | Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry
At a glance
- This is a historical archive of an article published during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
- It is not current COVID-19 guidance and should not be used to diagnose COVID-19 or the cause of a red eye.
- For current advice, use Australian Government and Healthdirect information or speak with an appropriate health professional.
Why this page is archived
The original March 2020 article discussed emerging reports about eye symptoms during the first months of the pandemic. Evidence and public-health advice developed substantially after publication, so the original clinical narrative has been retired. The Australian Government now describes the 2020–2023 period as a completed COVID-19 health alert and manages COVID-19 alongside other communicable diseases.
Use current health guidance
Red or irritated eyes have many possible causes. Eye symptoms alone cannot confirm COVID-19. For current information, see the Australian Government COVID-19 page, Healthdirect’s COVID-19 guidance and Healthdirect’s conjunctivitis guidance. Healthdirect advises prompt assessment for sudden vision change, eye pain, painful light sensitivity or a large amount of eye discharge.
Current eye-care information
For current information about dry, irritated, red or watery eyes, read Dry, Irritated or Watery Eyes? Understanding Dry Eye and the Smart Vision Optometry dry-eye service page. To ask about an eye-care appointment at Bondi or Mosman, contact Smart Vision Optometry.
