Bob Costas Goes Live At The 2014 Sochi Games With An Eye Infection
Bob Costas shocked fans when he appeared on air during coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics with his eye swollen shut.
Last week, the NBC anchor contracted an eye infection while in Sochi, Russia and has been wearing glasses ever since -- because of his inability to wear contacts, as he typically does.
"I have no choice to go all Peabody and Sherman on you for the next couple of nights since I woke up this morning with my left eye swollen shut and just about as red as the old Soviet flag," Costas shared with fans on Thursday night. "According to the NBC doctors here, it's some kind of minor infection which should resolve itself by the weekend. If only all my issues would resolve themselves that quickly, but that's another story."
While Costas didn't reveal what specifically he was dealing with, it could be pink eye. According to WebMD, pinkeye is very common and typically lasts between 7-10 days. Symptoms of the infection, which can be caused by bacteria or foreign chemicals, include redness in the white of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, itching or burning feeling of the eyelids, and swollen and tender areas in front of the ears.
In serious cases of pinkeye, symptoms can be more extreme, and with Costas being someone who wears contacts, this may, unfortunately, be the case for him. For those who wear contacts, symptoms can also last longer -- up to three weeks.
NBC's coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics is scheduled to continue until Feb. 23.