Long COVID, vision problems, and Brain Fog

Long COVID refers to a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection has resolved. Among the various symptoms reported by those with Long COVID, vision problems and brain fog are relatively common and can be particularly distressing.

Vision Problems Associated with Long COVID

People with Long COVID have reported a variety of vision-related issues, including:

1. Blurred Vision:  patients can have persistent blurriness and this can affect the ability to focus on objects, read, or see clearly.
2. Photophobia (Light Sensitivity):  this greater sensitivity to light, causing discomfort in brightly lit environments or when using screens, is similar to that of patients that we see, who have had other brain injuries such as stroke or trauma due to a car crash, for example.  .
3. Floaters:  little specks or small spots or threads that seem to move across the field of vision.  These can be very distracting and concerning.
4. Dry Eyes: fewer tears that lubricate and keep the front of the eye wet and moist, causes  discomfort, grittiness, and blurred vision. This “sandy” feeling can make light even more bothersome and can cause eye strain when doing visual tasks such as working on a computer or phone..
5. Double Vision (Diplopia):  difficulty using the two eyes together as a team, and having them align properly, can cause people to see two images of a single object. This can be interpreted as blurry vision.  The brain has difficulty bringing the two images together to create one picture.  This is a brain based problem.  .
6. Eye Pain or Discomfort: the symptoms described above can bring about general discomfort in the eyes, sometimes described as a pressure or ache.

Brain Fog and Cognitive Issues in Long COVID

"Brain fog" is a term used to describe a range of cognitive symptoms that can include:

1. Memory Problems:  difficulty recalling information, forgetting words, or struggling with short-term memory. This can be due to difficulty in bringing information into the brain and fusing the two images to make one picture.  Imagine if you had a camera that was not focused properly.  The picture would be blurry and it would then be harder to see details.
2. Concentration Difficulties:  if someone can’t easily sustain the ability to use the two eyes together, then the individual has to use more energy to try to do that, and there is then less energy to concentrate.  That makes it harder to focus on tasks, follow conversations, or maintain attention for extended periods.
3. Mental Fatigue:  if it takes more energy to use the two eyes together as a team, then it draws energy from the brain and the individual feels mentally drained.  Tasks that were easy to do before, require more effort, and the individual is less productive.  They then have to take more frequent breaks.
4. Confusion and Disorientation: Feeling confused, disoriented, or "out of it," makes it more difficult to perform daily activities or think clearly.
5. Slow Thinking:  if it is harder to bring information into the brain, then it is then harder to process, or make sense of that information.  It takes more time than it did before, and that makes it harder to make decisions or solve problems.  Again, this is similar to other form of brain injury.

How can we help you manage and how do we treat these problems? 

At times, there are special eyeglasses prescribed specifically for screen time.  Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, through a specific program in office, combined with home activities, help regain visual abilities.  That then improves quality of life.  It improves memory, cognition and mental processing.  At times, we combine that with Syntonic Phototherapy in order to improve visual and brain abilities.

Long COVID affects about 10% of those who have had COVID.  The duration and severity of Long COVID symptoms vary widely.  Some people see gradual improvement over time, others may experience persistent symptoms. Vision Therapy and Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation helps speed up recovery.