COVID-19 infection linked to Increased Retinal Vascular Occlusions: JAMA

The key findings of this study were as follow:

1. This study includes 432 515 individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

2. The mean (SD) age was 40.9 (19.2) years, and 231 767 (53.6%) of the patients were female.

3. In the six months following COVID-19 diagnosis, sixteen individuals had a RAO and 65 had an RVO.

4. After controlling for age, gender, self-reported race and ethnicity, body mass index, history of diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, and hospitalization, the incidence of new RVOs was greater 6 months after COVID-19 infection compared to 6 months before infection.

5. There was a modest rise in RAOs following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

6. RAOs and RVOs were most common 10 to 12 weeks and 6 to 8 weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis, respectively.

In conclusion, when evaluating patients following infection, clinicians must evaluate the probable link between COVID-19 infection and retinal vascular occlusions. The findings add to the evidence of COVID-19-induced prothrombosis and suggest that the effects of the infection may linger for several weeks. Large epidemiologic investigations are needed to further establish the link between COVID-19 infection and retinal thromboembolic events.

Reference:

Modjtahedi BS, Do D, Luong TQ, Shaw J. Changes in the Incidence of Retinal Vascular Occlusions After COVID-19 Diagnosis. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online April 14, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0632