OPHTHALMOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN POST COVID-19 PATIENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Though COVID 19 essentially is a respiratory tract illness, it has been noticed to involve other systems too including eye. Some COVID patients continue to experience symptoms even after their recovery from the acute phase known as “long haulers” and the condition is termed as “Post COVID syndrome”. The present study is done to describe and categorise ophthalmological ndings in COVID-19 survivors. Materials And Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, RIMS, Imphal from December 2021 to April 2022 including 52 post COVID- 19 patients attending RIMS Hospital Ophthalmology OPD/Emergency service with some complaints related to eye satisfying all the inclusion criteria. Proper history regarding COVID-19 phase and recent ocular symptom has been enquired from each patient. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination was done to analyze ophthalmological complaints in patients recovered from COVID- 19 and to assess the post Covid-19 patients in terms of best corrected visual acuity, Schirmer's test 1, Intraocular pressure, anterior segment and posterior segment ndings. Mean age of the patients was 56.87 years with diabetes me Results: llitus being the most common comorbidity. Most of them presented within 30-60 days of appearance of COVID symptom. Majority were diagnosed to have cataract, dry eye and diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes on the need of thorough ophthalmological assessment and screening in post-COVID – 19 patients and the implication of medications used in the treatment of COVID.