Ocular Manifestations of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Upper Egypt Early Report

Purpose: To evaluate the ocular manifestations of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective, comparative study included 100 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and 100 controls who were recruited by stratified randomization from hospital registration system and analyzed regarding history, full ophthalmological examination, general examination including internal medicine and neurological evaluation. Laboratory tests were done.

Results: Mean±SD of age were 55.5 ± 6.2 in COVID group vs 56.5 ± 5.8 in control group; P value = 0.7. In COVID group, 57 patients (57%) were males vs 51 patients (51%) in control group (P value = 0.39), the other compared parameters including history and risk factors showed non-significant difference except for ESR and D-dimer which were elevated in COVID group. In COVID group, 5 patients (5%) were having retinal vascular occlusion, 2 patients (2%) were having anterior ischemic optic neuropathy AION, 3 patients (3%) were having uveitis and 2 patients (2%) were having central serous chorioretinopathy CSCR. While in control group, 2 patients (2%) were having retinal vascular occlusion, and none had AION, uveitis or CSCR (P value = 0.006).

Conclusion: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome could affect the eyes in the form of coagulation problems, neurological morbidities, and other manifestations. This necessitates meticulous follow-up of recovered patients from COVID-19.