Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on retinal microvasculature by topographically mapping the retinal arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR).
Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional case-control study, fundus photos were obtained in COVID-19-infected patients and healthy controls. AVT was measured over 16 points across the retina using retinal vascularity index (RVI)-a novel semi-automated computerized parameter based on retinal vasculature.
Results: A total of 51 COVID-19-positive patients and 65 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Overall, the mean RVI of all 16 points across the retina was 0.34 ± 0.02 in patients with COVID-19 and 0.33 ± 0.02 in control subjects (p = 0.64). Out of the 16 points being measured, three points had a statistically significant greater value in patients with COVID compared to normal controls.
Conclusion: Localised greater RVI values were found in some of the points in COVID-19-positive patients, which likely indicates a more focal change of the vasculature.
Keywords: AVR; Arteriole-to-venule ratio; COVID-19; Choroid; RVI; Retinal vascularity index.
© 2022. The Author(s).