Evaluation of ocular findings in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of ocular findings in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 154 COVID-19 patients with ocular complaints were included. Thorough ocular examinations of the anterior and posterior segments were performed. Data on ocular manifestations were collected and analyzed. Results: The most common symptom was watery or stringy ocular discharge (61.04%), followed by foreign body sensation (57.79%), ocular redness (48.7%), and epiphora (22.08%). Complaints of diminished vision (4.54%) and mild ocular pain (3.25%) were relatively uncommon. Follicular conjunctivitis was the most common finding, affecting 61.04% of cases, followed by dry eye disease (31.17%), episcleritis (3.25%), retinal vascular occlusion (2.6%), and optic neuritis (1.95%). While anterior segment involvement was more frequent, rare posterior and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations were also noted. Conclusion: Ocular manifestations are a notable feature of COVID-19. These findings highlight the importance of ocular examinations in COVID-19 patients to ensure comprehensive care and early detection of ocular complications.