William Reynolds, president of the American Optometric Association, wrote that the organization’s members “stand ready to assist the public and aid the nation’s health care community in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.” Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. from rolling up their sleeves to receive COVID-19 shots or to even administer the vaccinations. Those and other side effects aren’t stopping eye care professionals in the U.S. SEE RELATED: Shingles in the eye (ocular shingles) Eye care professionals respond to COVID-19 Swelling of the optic nerve behind the eyeĬorneal breakdown requiring a cornea transplant If the shingles virus infects the nerves of the eye, the AAO says it can lead to: The AAO recommends that people 50 and over get the shingles vaccine to prevent an “extremely painful and disfiguring complication” called herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which can cause blindness. SEE RELATED: 5 ways measles can affect eyesight Shingles vaccine can prevent vision problems The measles vaccine is the best option for preventing the disease and, therefore, preventing measles-related vision problems. Red and watery eyes triggered by pink eye (conjunctivitis) Other potential vision issues associated with measles include: Soreness, redness and swelling at the injection siteĪround the world, measles causes as many as 60,000 cases of blindness each year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Soreness and a mild rash at the injection spotįor the shingles vaccine, common side effects are: One study found rare instances of corneal inflammation in children (chickenpox) and adults (shingles) after they received the zoster virus vaccine for both conditions.Ĭommon side effects from the chickenpox vaccine include: In extremely rare cases, the MMR vaccine can cause deafness, long-term seizures, coma or brain damage.

Rare side effects include short-term seizures and low platelet count. Temporary joint pain (mostly in teenage and adult females) Optic neuritis is inflammation affecting the optic nerve that sends signals from the back of the eye to the brain.Ĭommon side effects of the MMR vaccine include: Some research has shown that optic neuritis is a rare complication from the vaccine for the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection spot In rare cases, some patients who’ve received the flu vaccine experienced mild symptoms like eye redness, eye pain and blurred vision.Ĭommon side effects of the flu vaccine include: While the COVID-19 vaccines have, so far, not caused notable side effects related to vision, vaccines for several other conditions have been linked to eye and vision problems. If you notice any of the symptoms of TTS or Guillain-Barre in the days or weeks after a J&J vaccine, get medical help right away.ĭespite these uncommon reactions, the CDC has stressed that - compared to a COVID-19 infection - the benefits of the J&J vaccine far outweigh any risks. Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause eye-related symptoms such as double vision and problems moving the eyes, in addition to other neurological symptoms. The rare nerve condition Guillain-Barre syndrome has also been seen in about 8 in every 1 million adults vaccinated with the J&J vaccine. TTS is extremely unlikely and occurs in about 3 in every 1 million adults.īlurry vision can be a sign of TTS, along with several other symptoms. Very rarely, a blood-clotting condition called TTS can occur in the weeks following a Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

Rare reactions to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine It's highly unlikely you will experience vision symptoms due to the COVID-19 vaccine.īook an appointment with a local eye doctor today if you're experiencing sudden vision issues. Have you been recently vaccinated against COVID-19?

Covid vaccine side effects