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. 2020 Aug 17;28(6):916-921.
doi: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1781198.

Ocular Features and Associated Systemic Findings in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Michele Cavalleri  1 , Maria Brambati  1 , Vincenzo Starace  1 , Luigi Capone  1 , Francesco Nadin  1 , Matteo Pederzolli  1 , Francesca Gorgoni  1 , Carlo Di Biase  1 , Eleonora Corbelli  1 , Marco Battista  1 , Alessio Grazioli Moretti  1 , Domenico Grosso  1 , Francesco Bandello  1
Affiliations

Ocular Features and Associated Systemic Findings in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Michele Cavalleri et al. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. .

Abstract

Purposes: To describe the prevalence of ocular features among COVID-19 patients and their relationship with clinical data, inflammatory markers and respiratory support therapy (including CPAP); to investigate SARS-CoV-2 in ocular secretions of symptomatic patients.

Methods: 172 COVID-19 patients were evaluated for presence of ocular manifestations. Clinical and laboratory data were also reviewed. Conjunctival swabs were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR.

Results: Forty-five patients (26.2%) reported ocular manifestations. Patients treated with CPAP were more likely to have ocular abnormalities (p <.01). The presence of ocular symptoms was not associated with more significant alterations on blood tests. Conjunctival swabs from patients with suspect conjunctivitis yielded negative results for SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions: Ocular features are not infrequent in COVID-19 patients, but the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in ocular secretions is low. Ocular manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients can also be a consequence of respiratory support therapy. Prevention of possible transmission through ocular secretions is still recommended.

Keywords: COVID-19; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; conjunctivitis.

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