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Pupil responses in patients with COVID-19
Serap Yurttaser Ocak1, Seyma Gulcenur Ozturan2, Emine Bas2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Darulaceze cad, Kaptanpasa mah, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey. drserapocak@gmail.com.
Pupil responses in Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients were significantly altered during active infection compared to three months post-infection. This study highlights potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on the visual system.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is known to affect multiple organ systems.
- Emerging evidence suggests potential neurological and ocular manifestations of COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pupillary responses in patients with COVID-19 during active infection and at 3 months post-infection.
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on pupil dynamics and dilation speed.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 58 COVID-19 patients was studied.
- Pupil diameters (scotopic, mesopic, photopic) and dilation speeds were measured during infection and 3 months later.
- Statistical analysis compared pupil responses between the two time points.
Main Results:
- Mean scotopic and mesopic pupil diameters were significantly lower during active COVID-19 infection compared to 3 months post-infection (p < 0.05).
- Mean pupil diameter at all measured seconds (1st-10th) and average dilation speed were significantly reduced during COVID-19 infection (p < 0.01).
- No significant difference was observed in photopic pupil diameter or pupil diameter at 0 seconds.
Conclusions:
- Pupillary responses show significant alterations during active COVID-19 infection.
- These changes persist and are notably different when compared to measurements taken three months after infection.
- COVID-19 may have a lasting impact on autonomic nervous system control of pupillary function.
