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Immune-Related Peripheral Keratopathy in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Bingxu Chen1, Xiyun Li2,3, Lei Qu2,3
1The Second Clinical Medicine School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome, marked by systemic immune dysregulation, has been linked to various ocular manifestations, including conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, and vitritis. Emerging evidence highlights the role of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and abnormal immune cell activation in post-viral complications, which may contribute to corneal damage. This case report describes immune-related peripheral keratopathy in a patient with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome, emphasizing that it may influence the ocular surface immune microenvironment.
Case Presentation:
We describe a woman in her 30s who has a history of mild dry eye disease. After her third COVID-19 infection, she experienced eye redness, dryness, and a foreign body sensation. Ophthalmic examination revealed a corneal ulcer at the limbal region in both eyes. Treatment with topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory agents, and lubricating eye drops, led to substantial improvement and complete healing within two months.
Conclusion:
Systemic immune dysregulation following COVID-19 infection may alter the ocular surface immune microenvironment, thereby predisposing patients to ocular surface complications.
