A new peer-reviewed study published recently has sparked alarm regarding the connection between Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and the occurrence of a rare but severe eye disorder, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK). In an article published in the Cureus peer-reviewed medical journal, researchers highlighted an emerging trend of eye inflammation and malfunction after COVID-19 vaccination, more so among those with pre-existing autoimmune conditions.

Although the general risk seems to be low, the study emphasizes the significance of post-vaccine surveillance and the need for physicians and ophthalmologists to take recent vaccination status into account when diagnosing unexplained eye symptoms. Pfizer remains silent about the findings of cases.

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Researchers at a Turkish medical institution analyzed 64 individuals—128 eyes—before and after they received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Two months after the second dose, the researchers documented measurable changes in the cornea’s endothelium, the innermost layer that plays a critical role in maintaining corneal clarity. Significant changes noted were:

• Thickening of the cornea from a mean of 528 to 542 micrometers
• An 8% reduction in endothelial cells from 2,597 to 2,378 cells/mm²
• A 2% reduction in healthy hexagon-shaped cells
• Greater variation in cell size, which may indicate cellular stress or damage

Although the study had no immediate detection of visual impairment among the participants, the scientists observed these changes as possible harbingers of long-term dysfunction, particularly among individuals with pre-existing eye problems.

Why Is the Corneal Endothelium Important?

The endothelium is a single-cell layer responsible for pumping excess fluid out of the cornea to keep it transparent. Unlike most other cells in the body, these cells don’t regenerate. Once they’re damaged, the surrounding cells stretch to fill the gaps—leading to irregularity in cell shape and size, which was observed in this study. A low cell count or disorganized endothelial layer can result in conditions like:

Corneal edema: Swelling that causes blurred or hazy vision

Bullous keratopathy: Painful blisters on the eye surface

Corneal decompensation: Permanent loss of clarity, potentially requiring a transplant

While healthy adults can often tolerate mild changes, individuals with already low endothelial cell counts, due to aging, Fuchs’ dystrophy, prior surgeries, or eye trauma—could be more vulnerable.

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Researchers emphasized that these effects could be temporary, and long-term follow-up is essential to determine whether the changes persist or resolve on their own. They advised individuals with low endothelial counts or past corneal grafts to undergo more frequent checkups following vaccination, including specular microscopy, a non-invasive scan that measures endothelial health.

What We Know About Vaccine's Side Effects

The findings contribute to a broader conversation around vaccine safety, particularly concerning rare but notable adverse effects. In 2021, U.S. regulators added myocarditis and pericarditis warnings to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, mostly affecting men aged 16 to 25.

While such side effects remain rare, increased transparency and post-market surveillance have become crucial for maintaining public trust. The Turkish corneal study does not accuse Pfizer of negligence, nor does it dispute the vaccine's life-saving role during the pandemic. However, it adds new dimensions to ongoing risk-benefit assessments, especially for individuals with specific medical histories.

Should You Be Worried?

For most people, especially those without underlying eye conditions, the reported corneal changes likely have little or no practical impact. The measured drop in endothelial cells still kept participants well within the healthy range (above 2,000 cells/mm²).

But if you’ve had previous eye surgery, a corneal transplant, or conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy, it’s worth discussing this study with your ophthalmologist. You may be advised to monitor corneal health pre- and post-vaccination.

Also, while the study used robust diagnostic tools—like Sirius corneal topography and the Tomey EM-4000 specular microscope—the sample size of 64 participants is small. Larger, multicenter studies will be essential to confirm and further interpret the findings.

The researchers made it clear that they are not advising against vaccination. Instead, they are calling for more expansive, longitudinal studies to investigate whether these changes persist, worsen, or reverse over time.

Their key recommendation: monitor individuals who are already at elevated ophthalmic risk. If changes continue to be found months or years after vaccination, guidelines may need adjusting—not to limit vaccination, but to ensure it’s done as safely as possible for all populations.

In the meantime, healthcare providers may consider integrating corneal health screenings into vaccination protocols for high-risk individuals, just as cardiology screenings were emphasized after early reports of vaccine-linked myocarditis.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine remains a vital tool in global health, but emerging research like this adds nuance to the story. The Turkish study’s findings are not a cause for panic, but they are a signal for further investigation, especially in populations with vulnerable eye health.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how science evolves in real-time—and this study is another chapter in that unfolding story. As always, the best course of action is informed dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.

If you have a history of eye disease or corneal surgery, consider scheduling an eye exam before and after vaccination—and don’t skip follow-ups. Your vision is worth the extra look.

Individuals using one of the UK’s most frequently prescribed painkillers should know about a rare side effect that can cause a severe burning sensation in the stomach. While this medication is widely used and taken regularly by many, health experts have now issued a warning regarding this potential reaction.

‘Burning Stomach’ Warning Over This Common Painkiller

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), part of the same group as ibuprofen and aspirin. It helps reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling in muscles and joints. Doctors may prescribe it in tablet or liquid form for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and menstrual cramps.

It’s also used to treat certain muscle or bone problems, including back pain, sprains, and strains. The duration of treatment can vary, some people only need a few days, while others may require longer-term prescriptions. If you take naproxen for an extended period, your doctor may also prescribe medication to reduce the risk of side effects.

According to the NHS, your naproxen dose depends on why you are taking it, your age, liver and kidney function, and how well it relieves your symptoms. Older adults and people with heart, liver, or kidney issues usually receive lower doses. For children, the dose is calculated based on weight.

Naproxen Side Effects

Like all medications, naproxen can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Common issues, affecting about 1 in 100 people, include:

• Confusion
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears
• Vision changes
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dizziness
• Skin rashes

If any side effect persists or causes discomfort, speak with a doctor or pharmacist. In rare cases, naproxen can lead to severe stomach problems, such as intense indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal pain, which may indicate an ulcer or inflammation, according to the NHS.

Naproxen: NHS Issues Warning Over Naproxen

The NHS website claims: "Your doctor may tell you not to take naproxen if you have a stomach ulcer or you have had one in the past. If you need to take naproxen but are at risk of getting a stomach ulcer, your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to take alongside naproxen to protect your stomach.”

The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the stomach. But stomach ulcers are not always painful and some people may have other symptoms, such as indigestion, heartburn and feeling sick.

If you think you may have symptoms of a stomach ulcer, stop taking naproxen and contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to a new once-daily pill that works without hormones to ease moderate to severe hot flashes in menopausal women, Bayer announced Friday. The drug, called elinzanetant, will be available in the US starting in November under the brand name Lynkuet, according to Bayer.

It works by targeting brain chemicals responsible for hot flashes and night sweats, medically referred to as vasomotor symptoms. Experts estimate that over 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.

“This FDA approval marks a bold leap forward, our first non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms of menopause,” said Christine Roth, Bayer’s executive vice president of global product strategy and commercialization, in a news release Friday. “There’s a growing need for personalized approaches to menopause care, and Lynkuet fills a crucial gap in treatment options.”

For many women, hormone therapy can be a safe and effective way to manage symptoms like hot flashes. However, some women with certain health conditions or a history of diseases, including specific cancers, are sometimes advised against hormone replacement therapy. In such cases, alternative options like Lynkuet may be particularly valuable.

Clinical Trial Shows Promising Results

A Phase 3 clinical trial involving 628 postmenopausal women found that those taking elinzanetant for 12 weeks saw more than a 73% reduction in the frequency of their vasomotor symptoms, compared with a 47% reduction in those who received a placebo. The most commonly reported side effects were drowsiness, fatigue, and headaches.

“This year-long study not only confirmed rapid and substantial relief from the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats but also showed that these benefits lasted for a full year, offering hope for long-term symptom control,” said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, director of midlife health at UVA Health and emeritus executive director of the North American Menopause Society, when the trial results were published.

“For women facing moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms during menopause, treatment options have been limited, especially for those who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy,” Pinkerton added. “Severe hot flashes can disrupt daily life, work, and home routines, highlighting the need for effective non-hormonal treatments.”

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Hot flashes are sudden, intense feelings of heat that usually affect the face, chest, and head. They can bring on heavy sweating and flushing for several minutes. Nighttime episodes are called night sweats. Women can experience hot flashes sporadically or multiple times a day, making them highly disruptive.

“It’s important that women know there are choices to treat moderate to severe hot flashes, and this approval gives healthcare providers another option,” said Claire Gill, president and founder of the National Menopause Foundation, in Bayer’s announcement.

A New Era of Menopause Treatment

In 2023, the FDA approved another non-hormonal menopause drug, fezolinetant, which also provides an alternative to traditional hormone therapies for hot flashes. Fezolinetant and elinzanetant are among the first drugs to target a recently discovered brain pathway involved in regulating hot flashes.

During menopause, declining estrogen levels trigger overactive nerves in the hypothalamus, a small region deep in the brain that helps control the body’s thermostat. These nerves release too many chemical signals called neurokinins. Both drugs block neurokinin receptors on brain cells, reducing the signals that trigger hot flashes.

“Severe hot flashes can significantly affect daily life,” Pinkerton said. “This approval gives healthcare providers a new, first-line option to help women with moderate to severe menopause-related hot flashes.”

Health officials in the UK have issued a 48-hour warning after a rise in cases of an “unpleasant” winter bug. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to stay home for two days after symptoms subside to help stop the spread of norovirus, commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug.” The virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, spreads easily, particularly in colder months.

Recent data shows that cases have started to climb across England in recent weeks. The NHS has supported the UKHSA’s advice, reminding people to remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms clear to avoid infecting others.

What Is The Winter Bug Spreading In UK?

Norovirus is a highly contagious group of viruses that cause sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, and is known to peak during the colder months. In fact, it’s the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States.

The virus was first identified in 1968 after an outbreak in an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio, which gave it its original name, the Norwalk virus.

Norovirus vs. the Stomach Flu

Although often called the “stomach flu,” norovirus is not related to influenza. The flu virus affects the respiratory system, while norovirus targets the digestive tract, causing gastroenteritis.

Types of Norovirus

Norovirus belongs to the Caliciviridae family and includes 10 groups with around 48 known types. Among these, the GII.4 strain is the one most often linked to widespread outbreaks.

Unique Symptoms of Norovirus

Here are some less-covered but important unique symptoms of Norovirus infection to watch for:

• A sudden, intense onset of vomiting and watery diarrhoea, often without warning.
• Rapid loss of appetite and stomach cramps that may begin only 12 to 48 hours after exposure.
• Feeling unwell with low-grade fever, head or body aches, chills or muscle pain that accompany the GI symptoms.
• Signs of dehydration early on, such as dark urine, dry mouth, faintness on standing, or crying with few or no tears especially in children, older adults or immune-weakened people.

Unusual how quickly it hits and how short-lived it often is: many people recover in 1-3 days, yet they can still spread the virus for days after symptoms stop

To help stop the virus from spreading, the NHS has urged people with symptoms to take extra care, as per NHS. Those affected should:

• Avoid going to work, school, or nursery until at least 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Refrain from visiting hospitals, care homes, or other vulnerable settings during the same period.
• These precautions are crucial because norovirus remains highly contagious even after symptoms appear to have cleared.

How to Stop Norovirus from Spreading

Contaminated food and water can also transmit the virus. Along with staying home while you’re unwell, the NHS recommends taking the following precautions to reduce the risk of passing it on:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet or changing nappies, alcohol-based hand gels do not kill norovirus.

• Clean your hands before handling food, whether you’re cooking, serving, or eating.
• Launder soiled clothes and bedding separately at 60°C if they’ve come into contact with vomit or stool.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, including toilet seats, taps, flush handles, and door handles.
• Limit physical contact with others until you’ve been symptom-free for at least two days.