Visual impairment in patients with COVID-19

Authors

Keywords:

COVID-19, EYE, CORONAVIRUS, BODILY SECRETIONS, TEARS, ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME 2.

Abstract

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people worldwide, leaving a global burden for the long-term care of survivors.

Objective: to describe the visual impairments associated with COVID-19.

Methods: we searched the Scopus, PubMed/MedLine and SciELO databases for information on visual sequelae in patients with COVID-19. A search strategy was applied according to the syntax of each database.

Results: the most frequent alterations presented were respiratory and neurological sequelae. Although much research has been done on this subject, the accumulation of knowledge provides guidance to the scientific community but is not entirely conclusive, especially in the case of rare complications such as visual complications and their relationship with the pathogenesis of this virus. The presence in the ocular surface of ACE2 receptor and other molecules that justify the penetration of the virus through the ocular mucosa and the inflammation produced as a consequence of the infection is exposed.

Conclusions: the evidence on ocular affections by COVID-19 is disintegrated and with low evidence. Ocular structures have receptors for ACE2 used by the coronavirus to enter the organism; however, ocular complications are infrequent and mild, such as conjunctivitis. Everything reviewed agrees on the importance of the use of safety equipment such as goggles, masks and masks to prevent contamination by ocular secretions.

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Published

2023-12-28

How to Cite

1.
González-Aguilar V, Pérez-Padilla CA, Herrera-Lazo Z del C. Visual impairment in patients with COVID-19. Rev Ciencias Médicas [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 28 [cited 2026 Jan. 12];27:e6285. Available from: https://revcmpinar.sld.cu/index.php/publicaciones/article/view/6285

Issue

Vol. 27 (2023): (Sistema de Publicación Continua)

Section

REVIEW ARTICLES

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