Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
06:29
Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19
Published on: May 25, 2022
2.9K
Ocular Symptoms in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study
Shayaan Kaleem1, Mitsuaki Sawano2,3, Adith S Arun4
1Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|March 30, 2026
Summary
Individuals with long COVID experiencing new ocular symptoms after infection show poorer health and more socioeconomic challenges. These vision issues may indicate a more severe long COVID (long-term COVID) presentation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Long COVID (long-term COVID) is a complex condition with diverse symptoms.
- Ocular manifestations are increasingly reported but not fully characterized.
- Understanding factors associated with long COVID symptoms is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare characteristics of long COVID patients with and without new-onset ocular symptoms.
- To identify demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors associated with post-COVID ocular issues.
- To explore symptom differences between these long COVID groups.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of the Listen to Immune, Symptom, and Treatment Experiences Now (LISTEN) study.
- Inclusion criteria: adults with self-reported long COVID, survey completion (May 2022-Oct 2023), no post-vaccination syndrome.
- Ocular symptoms defined as new-onset blurring, vision loss, dry eyes, or floaters attributed to long COVID. Statistical comparisons included percentages, median/IQR, and Bonferroni-adjusted P-values.
Main Results:
- 57% of 595 long COVID participants reported new ocular symptoms.
- Ocular symptom group had lower health scores (40 vs 51), greater financial difficulties (20% vs 8.8%), and housing stability concerns (16% vs 5.4%).
- Higher rates of new-onset dysautonomia (38% vs 15%) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (21% vs 9.1%) were observed in the ocular group.
Conclusions:
- New-onset ocular symptoms in long COVID may signify a more severe disease phenotype.
- Patients with long COVID and ocular symptoms exhibit poorer health status and socioeconomic challenges.
- These findings highlight the need for comprehensive assessment of ocular and systemic health in long COVID patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.7K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.7K
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
11.0K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
11.0K
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
4.4K
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
4.4K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.6K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.6K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.1K
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
1.1K
01:24Prosopagnosia
1.1K
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
1.1K