Prevalence and Spectrum of Ocular Manifestations in COVID19 Patients at A Tertiary Care Centre: A Retrospective CrossSectional Study

Introduction: Ophthalmologists can play an important role in COVID-19 pandemic by identification of ocular symptoms which are like warning bells to the arrival of the deadly COVID-19 disease. The study highlights the spectrum of ocular manifestations of the COVID-19 pandemic along with the need for early diagnosis and subsequent treatment for the same. The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected all organs of the body with the eye being no exception. Eye being an entrance window for COVID-19 infection, Ophthalmologists can contribute to the prevention of its spread by early detection and treatment. This study will add to our knowledge the prevalence of various ocular manifestations in COVID-19 infection. Objectives: To find out the proportion and spectrum of ocular manifestations in patients of COVID-19. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional hospital-based study. It was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology and Covid Care Centre affiliated to a tertiary care institute in Nashik district. COVID-19 patients who were being treated in the Covid Care Centre (OPD, IPD and ICU) were included in the study. Total 1221 patients were included for the present study. A detailed history of the patients was noted. The patients in covid care centre – ward and ICU were examined with a torch light and bedside visual acuity was undertaken. COVID-19-positive patients attending the OPD underwent thorough ocular examination by recording their visual acuity on the Snellen’s chart, anterior segment evaluation on slit lamp and fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscope and 90 D lens. Results: Out of 1221 patients, ocular manifestations were observed in 13.8% (168) patients. Dry eye was the most common ocular manifestation which was observed in 4.99% (61) participants, followed by Epiphora in 3.93% (48) and Conjunctivitis in 1.97% (24) participants. Orbital Mucormycosis was also observed in 1.63% (20) patients. Conclusion: This study found proportion and various common ocular manifestations of COVID19 disease which helped patient to get diagnosed early and receive the treatment required. Thus, the ophthalmologists play a very crucial role in fighting this pandemic by remaining vigilant in patients presenting with ocular symptoms.
 
 
 

引言：眼科医师在新冠（COVID-19）疫情防控中可发挥关键作用，通过识别眼部症状——这类症状宛如致命新冠疾病来袭的警示信号。本研究系统阐述了新冠疫情相关眼部表现的谱型，并强调早期诊断与后续治疗的必要性。当前新冠疫情已波及全身各器官，眼部亦未幸免。眼部作为新冠病毒感染的入侵门户之一，眼科医师可通过早期发现与干预，助力阻断病毒传播。本研究将补充学界对新冠感染患者各类眼部表现患病率的认知。
研究目的：明确新冠感染患者眼部表现的占比与谱型。
材料与方法：本研究为一项基于医院的回顾性横断面研究，于印度纳西克地区某三级医疗中心附属眼科与新冠救治中心开展。本研究纳入所有在该新冠救治中心（门诊(OPD)、住院病房(IPD)及重症监护室(ICU)）接受治疗的新冠病毒感染患者，最终共纳入1221例受试者。研究人员详细记录了患者的病史信息。对于新冠救治中心病房及重症监护室的患者，采用手电筒进行眼部检查，并开展床边视力检测；对于前往门诊就诊的新冠病毒检测阳性患者，则进行全面眼科检查：包括使用斯内伦视力表(Snellen)记录视力、通过裂隙灯进行眼前节评估，以及借助间接检眼镜(indirect ophthalmoscope)与90 D透镜完成眼底检查。
结果：在1221例患者中，13.8%（168例）的患者出现眼部表现。干眼症是最常见的眼部表现，共61例，占比4.99%；其次为泪溢症，48例，占比3.93%；结膜炎24例，占比1.97%。此外，本研究还观察到1.63%（20例）的患者合并眼眶毛霉菌病(Orbital Mucormycosis)。
结论：本研究明确了新冠疾病的眼部表现占比与各类常见眼部表现，有助于患者实现早期诊断并获得所需治疗。因此，眼科医师通过对出现眼部症状的患者保持高度警惕，可在这场疫情防控中发挥至关重要的作用。