Different Cases, Different Manifestations of Post-COVID-19 Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is recognized as a procoagulant condition.
• COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events.
• Retinal artery occlusions are a potential, though less common, manifestation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe diverse clinical presentations of retinal artery occlusions following COVID-19 diagnosis.
• To explore potential pathophysiological mechanisms linking COVID-19 to retinal vascular events.
• To highlight the varied impact on visual function.

Main Methods:

• Case series presentation of three patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Detailed clinical history, ophthalmological examination, and imaging findings for each case.
• Discussion of potential pathophysiological links based on current literature.

Main Results:

• Case 1: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) leading to monocular visual loss.
• Case 2: Inflammatory peripheral retinal artery occlusion, vasculitis, and uveitis with preserved vision.
• Case 3: CRAO progressing to internal carotid artery occlusion, resulting in monocular visual loss.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 can manifest with varied retinal artery occlusions, ranging from central to peripheral.
• Individual immune responses and underlying pathophysiology may influence the clinical presentation.
• Prompt recognition and understanding of these vascular complications are crucial for patient management.