Ophthalmic Manifestations Among Patients Surviving COVID-19.

Background and Aim: To identify ocular findings related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients after the resolution of COVID-19 using complete ocular examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conducted from May 30 to October 30, 2020, patients who recovered from various stages COVID-19 underwent eye examination and multimodal retinal imaging (Retinographies and Spectral-OCT). Results: We included 50 patients, 29 (58%) males, median age of 46.5 [standard deviation 15.8]. Of these, 42% (21) had mild, 18% (9) had severe and 40% (20) had critical disease. The median time interquartile range (IQR) between symptom onset and ocular examination was 55 days [IQR 39-71]. Seven patients (14%) reported ophthalmic symptoms, transitory low visual acuity (6%) and retroocular pain (8%). On OCT, one patient without comorbidities had sectoral retinal pallor suggestive of acute retinal ischaemia and oedema of the retina's inner layers and atrophy. All findings progressively and spontaneously improved months after resolution of COVID-19. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 present findings compatible with the general population depending on age and comorbidities; nevertheless, acute retinal findings associated with the disease may be present, such as caused either by the direct effects of retinal SARS-CoV-2 infection, by indirect effects of the cytokine storm or by the pro-thrombotic state associated with COVID-19. Therefore, retinal involvement in patients with COVID-19 remains subject to considerable discussion and study.

Retinal findings in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19.

AIM: To identify retinal findings using dilated eye examination, which are possibly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 in a single referral centre for the treatment of COVID-19, in Santo André, São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil, underwent dilated eye examination of both eyes performed by a retina specialist. Findings were recorded using a portable digital fundus camera. Retinographies were analysed by two retina specialists. Medical records were reviewed for assessment of patient demographics, baseline comorbidities and clinical data. RESULTS: There were a total of 18 patients, nine (50%) male, median IQR age of 62.5 (12) years. Ten of the 18 patients (55.6%; 95% CI 33.7 to 75.4) had abnormalities on dilated eye examination. The main findings were flame-shaped haemorrhages (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2) and ischaemic pattern lesions (cotton wool spots and retinal sectorial pallor) (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2), with one patient having both cotton wool spots and flame-shaped haemorrhages. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with severe COVID-19 have acute vascular lesions of the inner retina including flame-shaped haemorrhages and cotton wool spots. Further studies controlling for confounding factors are necessary to properly assess these findings so as to increase the understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology and to identify new therapies.

Epidemiological profile and study on waiting lists for corneal transplants in a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies and about patients' waiting time on queues for corneal transplantation are important, as they allow us to know the assisted population and assist the medical team. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological and demographic profile of patients undergoing corneal transplantation from January 2014 to September 2018 at a teaching hospital in the city of Santo André, as well as their waiting time for the procedure. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study, performed through analysis of medical records and data from the website of the Government of the State of São Paulo's transplant center. The study was conducted at the External and Corneal Diseases sector of the discipline of Ophthalmology from Centro Universitário FMABC. The following data were evaluated: gender, age, race, origin and waiting time for the patient to have a transplant. RESULTS: A total of 139 corneal transplant patients were recruited for the study, with a mean age of 47.4±23 years. According to gender, just over half of the transplanted were female (50.4%). Regarding to skin color, 45.3% of the patients were white, 44.6% were brown and 10.1% were black. As for their origin, most patients were from the city of Santo André. CONCLUSION: This study enabled the assessment and knowledge of the epidemiological profile and waiting time for corneal transplantation in our patients. This information is important, as it helps us to understand the profile of the assisted population and in the organization and planning of the medical team, contributing to better guidance and care for the patients.