Retinal autofluorescence findings after COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with various systemic manifestations.
• Ocular involvement in COVID-19 is increasingly recognized, necessitating further investigation into specific retinal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and characteristics of retinal autofluorescence findings in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
• To explore potential correlations between autofluorescence abnormalities and the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Methods:

• An observational study was conducted in São Paulo in 2020.
• Retinal autofluorescence imaging, alongside other multimodal imaging techniques (color, red-free fundus photography, optical coherence tomography), was performed on COVID-19 patients.
• Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected.

Main Results:

• Autofluorescence findings were observed in 18 out of 26 affected eyes from COVID-19 patients.
• Hyper-autofluorescence was noted in 6 patients, hypo-autofluorescence in 14, and mixed patterns in 6.
• These abnormalities suggest potential retinal alterations linked to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

• Retinal autofluorescence abnormalities are present in COVID-19 patients.
• These ocular findings may represent secondary changes resulting from the primary or secondary effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.