Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19
Published on: May 25, 2022
Ocular manifestations in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yueyang Zhong1, Kai Wang1, Yanan Zhu1
1Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Introduction:
With the accumulating evidence of ocular manifestations of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the study aimed to systematically summarize the ocular manifestations in COVID-19 patients.
Methods:
The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science databases were searched through June 2021. Studies that provided clinical characteristics and outcomes and reported on the ocular manifestations or conjunctival swab RT-PCR tests among COVID-19 patients were included.
Results:
A total of 30 studies involving 5,717 patients were identified. Ocular manifestations including conjunctival hyperemia (7.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-8.9%), conjunctival discharge (4.8%, 95% CI 1.8-8.9%), epiphora (6.9%, 95% CI 2.8-12.8%), and foreign body sensation (6.9%, 95% CI 2.4-13.0%) were observed. The positive rate of conjunctival swab tests was 3.9% (95% CI 0.2-6.4%). Severe cases of COVID-19 were associated with an increased risk of developing ocular complications (odds ratio [OR] = 2.77, 95% CI 1.75-4.40).
Conclusions:
Despite their relatively low incidence rate in COVID-19 patients, ocular manifestations may be non-specific and present as the initial symptoms of infection. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the conjunctival swabs implicates the eye as a potential source of infection. Early diagnosis and proper eye protection would help prevent viral transmission.
Related Concept Videos
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Glaucoma: Overview
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

