ARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped positive-sense RNA coronavirus belonging to the Coronaviridae family, and its cellular entry depends mainly on the binding of S protein 1,2 to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a specific cellular receptor located at the surface of the host cells. 3,4 The SARS-CoV-2 viral particles' presence in the retina of deceased patients with COVID-19 has been suggested through the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunological methods to detect its main proteins. The eye is affected by COVID-19 infection, 5,6 and retinal changes were attributed to secondary microvascular and immunological changes. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of presumed SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in the retina of individuals who died of COVID-19 using fluorescence microcopy of tissues immunostained for S1 and nucleocapsid proteins and transmission electron microscopy of thin sections. MethodsThis investigational study was approved by the ethical and research committee at the Federal University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil, and all patients' representatives agreed to participate through written consent applied after the patient's death. They were informed of the procedure and potential benefits and risks, and no compensation was received for agreeing to participate. Detailed demographic, medical history, concomitant events, medication history, hospitalization details, IMPORTANCE The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the retina of deceased patients with COVID-19 has been suggested through real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction and immunological methods to detect its main proteins. The eye has shown abnormalities associated with COVID-19 infection, and retinal changes were presumed to be associated with secondary microvascular and immunological changes.OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the presence of presumed SARS-CoV-2 viral particles and its relevant proteins in the eyes of patients with COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThe retina from enucleated eyes of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were submitted to immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy processing at a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, from June 23 to July 2, 2020. After obtaining written consent from the patients' families, enucleation was performed in patients deceased with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients were in the intensive care unit, received mechanical ventilation, and had severe pulmonary involvement by COVID-19. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESPresence of presumed SARS-CoV-2 viral particles by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy processing.RESULTS Three patients who died of COVID-19 were analyzed. Two patients were men, and 1 was a woman. The age at death ranged from 69 to 78 years. Presumed S and N COVID-19 proteins were seen by immunofluorescence microscopy within endothelial cells close to the capillary flame and cells of the inner and the outer nuclear layers. At the perinuclear region of these cells, it was possible to observe by transmission electron microscopy dou...

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The main purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of retinal autofluorescence findings in COVID-19 patients. Observational study conducted in São Paulo in 2020. Demographic, medical history, and concomitant events, as well as medications used, hospitalization details, and laboratory test results, were obtained. Patients underwent eye examination and multimodal imaging, including color, red-free, autofluorescence fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Eighteen patients had autofluorescence findings (6 females; average age 54 years, range 31 to 86 years; 26 eyes). Hyper-autofluorescence findings were present in 6 patients, Hypo-autofluorescence in 14 patients, and 6 patients had mixed pattern lesions. Retinal autofluorescence abnormalities were present in COVID-19 patients and may be secondary to primary or secondary changes caused by the SARS-CoV-2.

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Background Choroid, ciliary body, and iris melanomas are often grouped as uveal melanoma, the most common intraocular primary malignancy. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the tumor profile of newly diagnosed cases of choroidal melanoma at a reference center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to investigate the frequency of eyes treated by enucleation that could have been treated with brachytherapy if available in the service. Methods Medical records of patients referred to our service with initial diagnostic hypothesis of choroidal melanoma from July 2014 to June 2020 were analysed on demographics, diagnosis confirmation, tumor measurement by ultrasonography and established treatment. Data were evaluated on clinical and demographic characteristics as age, sex, affected eye, ultrasound parameters, and treatment management of patients with clinically diagnosed choroidal melanoma. Among the patients submitted to enucleation, we investigated how many could have been selected to receive brachytherapy. Results From the 102 patients referred with the choroidal melanoma diagnosis hypothesis, 70 (68.62%) were confirmed. Mean measurements from the tumors in millimetres were: 9.19 ± 3.69 at height and 12.97 ± 3.09 by 13.30 ± 3.30 at basal. A total of 48 cases (68.57%) were enucleated, 8 (11.43%) were treated by brachytherapy in a different service, and 14 patients (20.00%) returned for enucleation at their original referral center. Out of the 48 patients enucleated, 26 (54.17%) could have been selected to brachytherapy treatment. Conclusions The results indicate a late diagnosis of choroidal melanoma cases referred to our service. Most enucleated cases could have been treated with brachytherapy if it was broadly available at the national public health insurance. Further public health political efforts should focus on early diagnosis and better quality of life post-treatment for oncologic patients.