Retinal Microvascular Changes Associated with Covid-19: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract

Background: In order to explore the correlation between retinal microangiopathy and SARS-COV-2 infection, the clinical characteristics were summarized. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted including outpatients who visited in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China from December 10, 2022 to January 31, 2023.Subjects underwent fundus color photography and macular optical correlation tomography to determine retinal microangiopathy. Results: A total of 3666 outpatients were counted. And we have evaluated 41 patients developed COVID-19-associated retinal microangiopathy.27 patients had blurred vision; seven patients had dark shadow occlusion; one patient had visual deformation; eight patients had dry eyes, foreign body sensation and discomfort. Ocular pain occurred in two patients. High reflection signals were found in the outer nuclear layer of 32 patients (78.0%), in the external plexiform layer of 16 patients (39.0%), in the inner nuclear layer of 2 (4.9%), in the internal plexiform of four patients (9.8%), in the ganglion cell layer of 37 patients (90.2%). Fracture of the ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone occurred in four patients (9.8%). Conclusions: 1.12% of outpatients showed COVID-19-associated retinal microvascular changes. The actual incidence in the population was higher due to the limitations of the retrospective study.