The COVID-19 Pandemic from an Ophthalmologist’s Perspective

Bacherini, Daniela; Biagini, Ilaria; Lenzetti, Chiara; Virgili, Gianni; Rizzo, Stanislao; Giansanti, Fabrizio

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2020.03.008

Cited by 35 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…10 Epiphora and Conjunctival redness had been the first manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 3 reported cases till date which includes a member of National expert on pneumonia during his visit to endemic areas of Wuhan and an anesthesiologist contracting the virus from a known patient of novel coronavirus pneumonia during intubation in Italy; similarly, it was reported in a nurse working in the emergency department of ophthalmology who presented with viral conjunctivitis and watering as a first sign. 12,16 All reported subjects were fully gowned with personal protective equipment but with no or dislocated protective eyewear. These incidences of anesthesiologist and nurse are only some of the proof of the nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV -2 in the eyes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These incidences of anesthesiologist and nurse are only some of the proof of the nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV -2 in the eyes. 3,8,9,12,14,16 Dr. Li Wenliang, the Chinese ophthalmologist and the first whistleblower about this disease himself is assumed to get infected by SARS-CoV-2 from an asymptomatic glaucoma patient and died on February 7, 2020. 17 Similarly, Dr. Jay M Galst, a renowned ophthalmologist lost his life on 12th April due to SARS-CoV -2 infection.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

<p>Unfolding COVID-19: Lessons-in-Learning in Ophthalmology</p>

Sitaula¹,

Khatri²,

Janani³

et al. 2020

OPTH

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Importance: An observant Chinese doctor Li Wenliang became the first physician to alert the world about COVID-19. Being an ophthalmologist himself, he has put the additional onus on us. The fact that the ocular manifestation could be the first presenting feature of novel coronavirus pneumonia should not be ignored and the possibility of spread of SARS-CoV-2 through the ocular secretions cannot be ruled out. However, with breakthroughs still evolving about this disease, the calls are now louder for closer examination on the pathogenesis of conjunctivitis associated with it. Hence, we conducted a scoping review of all available literature till date to fill in the "potential" gaps in currently available knowledge on ocular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an attempt to establish continuity in the "chain of information" from December 2019 till April 2020. We also summarize a possible hypothesis on much less understood and highly debated topics on regard to the etiopathogenesis of ocular involvement in SARS-CoV-2 based on either presence or absence of ACE2 receptor in the ocular surface. Methods: We conducted a scoping review search of published and unpublished SARS-CoV-2-related English language articles from December 2019 till mid of April 2020 from the online databases. The findings were summarized using text, tables, diagrams, and flowcharts. Results: The commonest ocular manifestation in SARS-CoV-2 infection is follicular conjunctivitis and has been the first manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 3 reported cases till date. The ocular surface inoculated with the SARS-CoV-2 leads to the facilitation of the virus to the respiratory system via the lacrimal passage. RT-PCR analysis of the ocular secretions has shown the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleotides indicating the possibility of infection of ocular secretions. ACE2 receptors and its expression on the ocular mucosal surface are linked behind the etiopathogenesis of conjunctivitis. Conclusion: Conjunctivitis can be the presenting manifestation but may go unnoticed due to its mild nature. The ocular surface could serve as the entry gateway for the virus and ocular secretions could play a role in virus shed. The eye care personnel, as well as the general people, need to be more vigilant and adopt protective eye measures.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Unfolding COVID-19: Lessons-in-Learning in Ophthalmology</p>

Sitaula¹,

Khatri²,

Janani³

et al. 2020

OPTH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A study conducted on 56 patients in Wuhan revealed that aggravated ocular symptoms had occurred in 27% of the patients just before the onset of respiratory symptoms ( 58 ). This suggests that ocular manifestations are relatively common in COVID-19 patients and should also be considered during diagnosis ( 59 ). Long-term usage of antiviral drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine is a concern because it is known to cause retinal toxicity and retinopathy ( 60 ).…”

Section: Effect On the Eyesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single Virus Targeting Multiple Organs: What We Know and Where We Are Heading?

Prasad

2020

Front. Med.

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COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has already infected more than 6. 3 million people worldwide as of 1st June 2020 and caused a global medical emergency. Healthcare professionals have been struggling to devise appropriate therapeutic strategies against the virus mainly due to the diverse range of symptoms and multiple-organ failure in infected patients. Several broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are being used for treatment; however, there is yet no specific drug or vaccine against the virus. Multiple-organ failure due to hyperactivity of the immune system resulting in cytokine storms is a major reason for death among the 5% critically ill patients. In this article, we have discussed the damage caused by COVID-19 on different organs of the human body.

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“…History taking regarding COVID-19 symptoms or exposure is mandatory. [45] All staff should be encouraged to bring minimum possible personal items to the hospital. Equipment like 90D lenses, indirect ophthalmoscope should be kept in clinic.…”

Section: Disinfectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronavirus disease in ophthalmology practice: Current scenario; available evidence; and its implications

Kumari¹,

Kaur²,

Sukhija³

et al. 2020

cleverjournal

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes a highly contagious coronavirus disease named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has emerged as a pandemic; number of affected individuals is only increasing and so is the spectrum of its clinical presentations. To control morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19, all physicians including ophthalmologists, need to know its established as well as probable clinical presentations. Conjunctivitis can be the first presenting symptom of the disease. Ophthalmologists are at higher risk of contracting this infection due to close contact with the patient during different examinations and procedures. Examining such otherwise asymptomatic patients further increases the risk of infection. The present review updates about the current literature on COVID 19 in relation to ophthalmology. We need to control its spread at all levels, among patients and ophthalmologists, among staff as well as the community. Frequent disinfection and social distancing should be the new norm in clinics. Teleconsultation services need to be boosted and strengthened for future use along with efforts to end the pandemic. Across the world, we are dealing with an unprecedented crisis and we are fraught with uncertainty. On December 31, 2019, the first case of pneumonia of an undetermined cause was reported from Wuhan in China. Since then similar cases flooded across the world and the disease was declared as Public Health Emergency internationally on January 30, 2020. [1,2] On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) gave name to this coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): COVID-19, and called the causative virus as "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2)." [1] Globally, as on, June 4, 2020, there are 6,416,828 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 382,867 deaths, reported to the WHO. [3] SARS-COV-2 has far higher infectivity and low mortality than previously known human corona virus. [4] It shows a rapid transmission during the incubation-period and may have milder symptoms in adults. [5] Human-to-human transmission is commonly by fomites, droplets, aerosol, etc., similar to SARS virus. Risk of environmental contamination is also there, more by patients with the upper respiratory tract involvement. It has been shown that current decontamination measures are sufficient and hence there is a need for strict adherence to environmental and hand hygiene. [6] Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 COVID-19 can have a variable presentation. Fever and cough have been reported as the most common symptoms. [7] In a study of 1099 Covid-19 confirmed patients [7] from China, fever was seen at presentation in 43.8% of the confirmed OVIOD 19 patients and developed after hospitalization in 88.7%. The study also reported a difference in pathogenicity of the virus from SARS-CoV, and other seasonal influenza like illness, in view of absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Other common symptoms include cough (67.8%), fatigue (38.1%), sputum production (33.7%), shortness of ...

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The COVID-19 Pandemic from an Ophthalmologist’s Perspective

Cited by 35 publications

References 8 publications

<p>Unfolding COVID-19: Lessons-in-Learning in Ophthalmology</p>

<p>Unfolding COVID-19: Lessons-in-Learning in Ophthalmology</p>

Single Virus Targeting Multiple Organs: What We Know and Where We Are Heading?

Coronavirus disease in ophthalmology practice: Current scenario; available evidence; and its implications

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