Author: Asma Khallouli (Tunisia)
Co-authors: Cyrine Lagneb, Racem Choura, Rahma Saidane, Dhouha Gouider, Afef Maalej, Riadh Rannen
Purpose
Since the retinal vessels share many morphological properties with the vasculature of other vital organs, the prothrombotic state associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause retinal vasculature abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of retinal microvascular alterations in post-COVID-19 patients, who required hospital care, in comparison with an age- and sex-matched controls group.
Setting/Venue
Department of Ophthalmology of the Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia.
Methods
Forty-four eyes of post-COVID-19 patients and 50 eyes of 25 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. We used OCT-Angiography (Optovue RTVue XR Avanti, AngioVue) to study the superficial capillary plexus vessel density (SCP VD), the deep capillary plexus vessel density (DCP VD) and the peripapillary vessel density (PPVD) in all included subjects. We compared OCT-Angiography parameters of post-COVID-19 patients to those of controls. Furthermore, we assessed the ganglion cell complex (GCC) and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to age and gender (p = 0.196 and p = 0.308, respectively). Mean SCP VD (44.93±3.89) and DCP VD (48.49±3.94) of the post-COVID-19 group were significantly lower than the SCP VD (49.16±3.19) and DCP VD (54.18±3.75) of the control group in the parafoveal region (p=0.009). PPVD was lower in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection (35,7%±3.27) compared to controls (39,2%±3,28) (p=0.007). No statistically significant difference was found between post-COVID-19 patients and controls regarding to GCC and RNFL measurements (p=0.277).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to age and gender (p = 0.196 and p = 0.308, respectively). Mean SCP VD (44.93±3.89) and DCP VD (48.49±3.94) of the post-COVID-19 group were significantly lower than the SCP VD (49.16±3.19) and DCP VD (54.18±3.75) of the control group in the parafoveal region (p=0.009). PPVD was lower in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection (35,7%±3.27) compared to controls (39,2%±3,28) (p=0.007). No statistically significant difference was found between post-COVID-19 patients and controls regarding to GCC and RNFL measurements (p=0.277).
Conlusions
Patients who suffered from COVID-19 may be at risk of retinal microvascular complications. Our study showed reduced vessel density of the macular and peripapillary region in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Financial Disclosure
NO
Comments
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