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COVID-19 and conjunctivitis: a meta-analysis

Mashael Al-Namaeh1

  • 1School of Health and Social Care, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Kiviharjuntie 8, 90220 Oulu Teuvo, Pakkalan Katu 19, 90100 Oulu, 90220, Finland.

Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology
|June 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Conjunctivitis is a common ocular symptom in COVID-19 patients. This meta-analysis found a low odds ratio for conjunctivitis in COVID-19 cases, synthesizing current evidence.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to millions of cases and deaths globally.
  • Ocular manifestations, including conjunctivitis, have been observed in both adult and pediatric COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a meta-analysis estimating the odds ratio (ORs) of conjunctivitis in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • To synthesize current evidence on the association between COVID-19 and conjunctivitis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed.
  • Literature searches were conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases.
  • Data from 20 studies, including 3383 participants, were analyzed to determine the ORs of conjunctivitis.

Main Results:

  • The meta-analysis included 20 studies with 3383 participants.
  • The overall odds ratio for conjunctivitis in COVID-19 patients was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00-0.02).
  • No significant bias was reported in the included studies.

Conclusions:

  • Conjunctivitis is a frequent ocular finding in adult COVID-19 patients.
  • This meta-analysis quantifies the link between COVID-19 and conjunctivitis, noting significant heterogeneity in current research.
  • The study provides a consolidated review of available literature on COVID-19 and conjunctivitis in all age groups.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2meta-analysisviral conjunctivitis

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