Can people with pinguecula receive vaccines?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Whether patients with pinguecula can receive vaccines depends on their ocular condition and the type of vaccine. Vaccination can proceed normally if the pinguecula is not inflamed and the vaccine does not have ocular contraindications. However, if the pinguecula is in an acute inflammatory phase, vaccination should be postponed. Patients should monitor their eye condition before and after vaccination, avoid rubbing their eyes, maintain good ocular hygiene, and minimize exposure to irritants such as dust and ultraviolet light.
Whether patients with pinguecula can receive vaccines depends on the condition of their eyes and the type of vaccine. If there is no ocular inflammation and the vaccine does not have specific eye-related contraindications, vaccination can generally proceed normally. However, if the pinguecula is in an acute inflammatory phase, vaccination should be postponed. The detailed analysis is as follows:
If the pinguecula is merely a benign superficial lesion of the eye without signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, pain, or increased discharge, routine vaccination—such as for COVID-19 or influenza—is typically unaffected. In such cases, vaccination will neither interfere with the vaccine's effectiveness nor worsen the symptoms of pinguecula.
If the pinguecula is accompanied by acute inflammation, presenting with symptoms like eye redness, swelling, or sharp pain, vaccination should be delayed. During active local inflammation, vaccination may exacerbate discomfort and could make it difficult to distinguish between symptoms caused by the inflammation and those potentially caused by the vaccine, complicating post-vaccination monitoring.
Before and after vaccination, individuals should monitor their eye condition, avoid rubbing their eyes, maintain good ocular hygiene, and minimize exposure to irritants such as dust and ultraviolet light. If inflammation is present, targeted treatment should first resolve the symptoms of pinguecula; vaccination should be scheduled only after symptoms have subsided, ensuring overall stability of health.
