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Retinal vascular occlusions during COVID-19: an epidemiological survey

Andrea Montesel1, Yan Guex-Crosier1, Chiara M Eandi1,2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Frontiers in Ophthalmology
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic did not increase retinal vascular occlusions, including central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). This study found no significant association between COVID-19 incidence and these eye conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about potential systemic effects, including impacts on vascular health.
  • Retinal vascular occlusions (RVOs) are serious conditions affecting vision and are sensitive indicators of vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the incidence of retinal vascular occlusions changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To assess the association between COVID-19 case counts and the occurrence of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO).

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, analyzing diagnoses from January 2019 to December 2020.
  • Data on CRVO, BRVO, CRAO, and BRAO were collected, alongside regional COVID-19 case counts.
  • Incidence rate ratios (IRR) comparing 2020 to 2019 were calculated, and Pearson correlation explored temporal associations with monthly COVID-19 cases.

Main Results:

  • In 2019, 66 RVOs and 20 RAOs were recorded; in 2020, 49 RVOs and 21 RAOs were recorded.
  • The IRR for RVOs in 2020 versus 2019 was 0.73 (p=.093), and for RAOs was 1.04 (p=.896), indicating no significant increase.
  • No significant temporal association was found between monthly COVID-19 incidence and retinal vascular events (p=.08).

Conclusions:

  • This regional study found no increase in retinal vascular occlusive events during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Despite proposed biological mechanisms, population-level data did not support a strong association between the pandemic and increased RVOs or RAOs.
  • Further research may be needed to fully understand any potential long-term or indirect effects of COVID-19 on retinal vasculature.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19RVOSARS-CoV-2pandemicretinal vascular occlusionthrombosis

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