Post COVID-19 Retinal Evaluation Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A Case Control Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the effect of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on retinal vasculature by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). Methods Macular OCTA images of patients recovered from COVID-19 infections were studied including foveal avascular zone (FAZ), capillary vascular densities (CVD) of the superficial and deep capillary network (SCP, DCP), and central foveal thickness (CFT). Results The FAZ area was significantly larger in post COVID-19 cases compared to the healthy controls (p=0.032). Post COVID-19 cases had significant lower CVDs in perifoveal quadrants of the SCP. They also had lower CVD in the whole area, parafoveal, temporal and inferior perifoveal areas in the DCP. The parafoveal DCP area showed a positive correlation with disease duration (r=0.249, p-value=0.018). The whole SCP was significantly larger in cases with lymphopenia (p-value=0.004). Conclusion This study found asymptomatic retinal vascular affection in post COVID-19 eyes showing a relation with disease clinical and laboratory features.