Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19
06:29

Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19

Published on: May 25, 2022

2.5K

Ocular-symptoms-related Google Search Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe

Enver Mirza1, Gunsu Deniz Mirza2, Selman Belviranli3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram, Konya, 42080, Türkiye. envermirza@gmail.com.

International Ophthalmology
|March 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Google searches for eye symptoms correlated with COVID-19 cases and deaths in Europe. This suggests public awareness of ocular symptoms

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread public concern.
  • Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 were reported, prompting public interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between online search trends for coronavirus and eye symptoms.
  • To correlate these search trends with daily COVID-19 case and death counts in Europe.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Google Trends to access relative search volumes (RSV) for relevant keywords.
  • Analyzed data from the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Turkey between January and June 2020.
  • Compared daily COVID-19 case and death data with keyword RSVs.

Main Results:

  • Strong, statistically significant correlations were observed between keyword RSVs and COVID-19 statistics.
  • Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.175 to 0.807 across the studied countries.
  • The UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Turkey showed the most significant findings.

Conclusions:

  • While not a primary symptom, the ocular surface may be a transmission route for COVID-19.
  • Public media coverage likely influenced online searches for eye symptoms related to COVID-19.
  • Significant correlations indicate a link between public perception, ocular symptoms, and the pandemic.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19ConjunctivitisGoogle TrendsInfodemiologyInternet search activityOcular sign

More Related Videos

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic09:03

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published on: November 7, 2020

5.2K
Development of a Gaze-Contingent Display Framework Designed for Perceptual and Oculomotor Research with Simulated Central Vision Loss07:12

Development of a Gaze-Contingent Display Framework Designed for Perceptual and Oculomotor Research with Simulated Central Vision Loss

Published on: April 11, 2025

672

Related Concept Videos

Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
2.6K
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
938
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
811
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
7.7K
Prosopagnosia01:24

Prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
514