No abstract

Purpose To quantify retinal microvascular findings in the acute phase of COVID-19 using multimodal imaging and compare them with healthy, age-matched controls. Methods Hospitalized patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 without known systemic comorbidities ( n = 75) and healthy controls ( n = 101) aged 18–65 were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The retinal microcirculation and microvasculature impairments were assessed using fundus photography, swept-source optical coherence tomography, and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in the COVID-19 unit and compared with healthy, age-matched controls. Results Retinal findings were predominately observed in patients with severe disease ( P = 0.006). Patients with severe disease were shown to have increased both mean vein diameter (Coef. = 19.28, 95% CI: 7.34–31.23, P = 0.002) and mean artery diameter (Coef. = 11.07, 95% CI: 0.84–21.67, P = 0.044). Neither blood vessel diameters were correlated with any confounding variables (age, sex, treatment with oxygen, LDH, or ferritin). Patients with severe COVID-19 were shown to have significantly increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the superior and inferior quadrants both in the inner (S: P = 0.046; I: P = 0.016) and outer (S: P = 0.026; I: P = 0.014) ring and significantly increased GCL thickness in the outer temporal quadrant ( P = 0.038). There were no statistically significant differences in vessel density or the foveal avascular zone area between the groups. Conclusion The severity of COVID-19 was significantly correlated with the presence of retinal microangiopathy, which could become a biomarker of angiopathy in patients with COVID-19.

The proposed SARS-CoV-2-induced dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system results in endothelial dysfunction and microvascular thrombosis. The retinal plexuses contain terminal vessels without anastomotic connections, making the retina especially susceptible to ischemia. This study aimed to determine the role of selected polymorphisms of genes in the RAAS pathway in COVID-19 severity and their association with the presence of COVID-19 retinopathy. 69 hospitalized patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 without known systemic comorbidities and 96 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The retina was assessed with fundus photography using a Topcon DRI OCT Triton (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) in the COVID-19 unit. Genotyping of selected polymorphisms in the genes for ACE (rs4646994), ACE2 (rs2285666), and AGTR2 (rs1403543) was performed. The COVID-19 group was divided into mild (n = 12) and severe (n = 57), and then further divided according to the presence of COVID-19 retinopathy (Yes, n = 50; No, n = 19). The presence of the AGTR2 rs1403543-AA genotype was associated with a 3.8-fold increased risk of COVID-19 retinopathy (p = 0.05). The genotype frequencies of selected gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with either the presence of COVID-19 or its severity. This is the first study demonstrating a borderline association of the AGTR2 rs1403543-AA genotype with COVID-19 retinopathy in males; hence, the AGTR2 rs 1403543 A allele might represent a genetic risk factor for COVID-19 retinopathy in males.

Disruption of the outer segments of the photoreceptors on optical coherence tomography may be a pathognomonic sign of vitamin A deficiency. Early detection is especially important in patients with gastrointestinal disorders who may have other underlying deficiencies. Treatment leads to resolution of visual symptoms and improves the quality of life.

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the patients with COVID-19 and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the course of COVID-19.  Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between December 2020 and December 2021. Patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analysed.   Results: 301 participants were enrolled in the study. 46 (15,3%) had moderate, and 162 (53,8%) had severe COVID-19. 14 (4,7%) patients died, and 30 (10,0%) were admitted to the ICU due to disease worsening. The majority needed oxygen therapy (n=224; 74,4%). Average vitamin 25(OH)D3 levels were below optimal at the admittance, and vitamin D deficiency was detected in 205 individuals. More male patients were suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Patients with the more severe disease showed lower levels of vitamin 25(OH)D3 in their blood. The most severe group of patients had more symptoms that lasted significantly longer with progressing disease severity. This group of patients also suffered from more deaths, ICU admissions, and treatments with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and oxygen.  Conclusion: Patients with the severe course of COVID-19 were shown to have increased inflammatory parameters, increased mortality, and higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency. The results suggest that the vitamin D deficiency might represent a significant risk factor for a severe course of COVID-19.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of patients with various etiologies of uveitis, undergoing cataract surgery and to identify possible factors influencing the visual outcome and the rate of postoperative complications. Methods: Patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2015 and February 2020 were included. Results: A total of 102 eyes of 78 patients were included in this study. There was a statistically significant difference in the postoperative BCVA between the groups based on anatomical localization as well as etiology. Standard procedure with phacoemulsification and lens implantation was associated with statistically significant better final BCVA than surgery with an additional iris procedure. Conclusions: Visual outcome varies between the subtypes of uveitis. Post-operative BCVA correlates strongly with preoperative values; prolonged delay of surgery may not be indicated. Meticulous control of pre-operative inflammation, peri-operative treatment adjustment, and close postoperative follow-up is essential for a favorable outcome.

This study aimed to quantify possible long-term impairment of the retinal microcirculation and microvasculature by reassessing a cohort of patients with acute COVID-19 without other known comorbidities one year after their discharge from the hospital. Thirty patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 without known systemic comorbidities were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal cohort study. Fundus photography, SS-OCT, and SS-OCTA using swept-source OCT (SS-OCT, Topcon DRI OCT Triton; Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) were performed in the COVID-19 unit and 1-year after hospital discharge. The cohort’s median age was 60 years (range 28–65) and 18 (60%) were male. Mean vein diameter (MVD) significantly decreased over time, from 134.8 μm in the acute phase to 112.4 μm at a 1-year follow-up (p < 0.001). A significantly reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was observed at follow-up in the inferior quadrant of the inner ring (mean diff. 0.80 95% CI 0.01–1.60, p = 0.047) and inferior (mean diff. 1.56 95% CI 0.50–2.61, p < 0.001), nasal (mean diff. 2.21 95% CI 1.16–3.27, p < 0.001), and superior (mean diff. 1.69 95% CI 0.63–2.74, p < 0.001) quadrants of the outer ring. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding vessel density of the superior and deep capillary plexuses. The transient dilatation of the retinal vessels in the acute phase of COVID-19, as well as RNFL thickness changes, could become a biomarker of angiopathy in patients with severe COVID-19.