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Review
. 2020;8(4):185-194.
doi: 10.1007/s40135-020-00257-7. Epub 2020 Sep 26.

Systematic Review of Ocular Involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Kai Xiong Cheong  1
Affiliations
Review

Systematic Review of Ocular Involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Kai Xiong Cheong. Curr Ophthalmol Rep. 2020.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Studies have reported ocular involvement in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with SARS-CoV-2 having been detected in ocular swab samples. This has implicated the eye as a portal of transmission. The aim of this systemic review is to summarise and discuss the current literature regarding ocular involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19.

Recent findings: In this systematic review, the prevalence of ocular symptoms and signs was low (from 0 to 31.58%) and conjunctivitis was a relatively rare occurrence. The rate of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the ocular swab samples was low as well and this ranged from 0 to 11.11%. The development of ocular symptoms and signs was not always accompanied by the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the ocular swab samples. The opposite was described as well. This may reflect issues related to the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and of the study design. Nonetheless, the nature of research in a pandemic is that conclusions can change as more information is obtained.

Summary: Whilst the eye is unlikely to be a main transmission route, we need to consider the possibilities of conjunctivitis as a presenting complaint and of the eye playing a role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we need to take the appropriate precautions in our practice. Further studies are needed to evaluate the viral tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and its role in the eyes.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Coronavirus disease 2019; Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; SARS-CoV-2; Tears; Transmission; Viral culture.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe author declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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