Conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Layikh, Haider Aswad; Hashim, Zainab Adel; Kadum, Alyaa A

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 that might affect the eye in the form of conjunctivitis and other ocular features. OBJECTIVES Assess the frequency and clinical profile of conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in Iraqi patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. DESIGN Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING Secondary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study involved patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of variable disease severity from June 2020 to December 2020. Ocular history and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection was assessed for all of the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Frequency of conjunctival inflammation and other ocular findings in patients with coronavirus infection. SAMPLE SIZE 186 patients. RESULTS The patients had a mean (standard deviation, range) age of 44.4 (18.8, 18-78) years. Conjunctivitis was present in 25 patients (13.4%). There was no significant association between prevalence of conjunctivitis and patient gender (P=.868). However, conjunctivitis was significantly associated with the severity of the disease (P=.018): the rate of conjunctivitis was significantly higher in cases with severe disease (28%) in comparison with those with mild to moderate clinical presentation (9.3%). The natural course of conjunctivitis seemed to be mild with no effect on visual acuity and no short-term complications. CONCLUSION Conjunctivitis can occur in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, and could be a presenting sign. Conjunctivitis is more common in cases of severe COVID-19 infection and since it could be a presenting sign it might be of benefit in the early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. LIMITATION Single-center study, safety limitations in the examination of the patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.