Eye Pills - COVID-19 No. 2

The eye and COVID-19

Pubblicato il

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Argomento

Eye infections

What are the ocular manifestations of the infection and the risks of transmission through the eyes.

Since early 2019, mankind's attention and the interest of the scientific world have been seamlessly focused on developments in the COVID-19 pandemic.

A large number of papers and research data have been published to arrive at a definition of the characteristics of the new disease and, above all, to identify research pathways to both a effective therapy that at vaccines safe and capable of providing long-lasting immunity.

Le ocular implications of COVID19 are, however, still not fully described, although it is now clear that the eyes, and in particular the ocular surface, and the tears constitute important entry routes for the virus and sources of infection from person to person.

In order to shed light on these aspects, we propose a review summarising the available clinical evidence on COVID-19 and its ocular implications and manifestations, both in animals and humans, with the aim of promoting prevention and education of the ophthalmological community on this topic.

COVID-19 Disease and Ophthalmology: An Update.
Amesty MA, Alió del Barrio JL. & Alió JL.
Ophthalmol Ther 9, 1-12 (2020).

The review brings together and systematises data published in the literature, which show that ocular symptoms occur quite frequently in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and that it is possible to isolate viral RNA from the conjunctival sac of these patients.

The conjunctivitis appears to be an uncommon manifestation in patients with non-severe SARS- COv-2 infection. Conjunctivitis is generally a benign, self-limiting condition that heals without the need for specific treatment. In the case, however, of conjunctivitis in COVID patients, it must be considered that contact with infected eyes can be an important route of viral transmission and, therefore, prevention is always a fundamental rule to remember and apply as physicians and as ophthalmologists, in order to protect patients and oneself.