A new study suggests that Covid-19 may cause eye damage in patients with critical illness.
For this study, published in the journal Radiology, the researchers analyzed magnetic resonance imaging of 129 patients with severe Covid-19 in France from March 4 to May 1.
Advanced imaging tests showed that nine of the 129 (7%) patients had one or more irregularities in the back of their eyes. Irregularities may indicate possible damage or blockage of blood vessels, minor bleeding in the eyes, or disruption of nerve fibers.
All but one of the affected patients had lesions in both eyes.
But due to the lack of “systematic ophthalmological examination” of ICU patients, the researchers were limited in data and could not correlate the radiographic results with changes in vision.
Researchers believe that these findings may be caused by the widespread clotting of blood in small vessels and the disruption of an enzyme that protects the eye from damage. They also suggest that the finding may be related to the increased pressure in the eyes caused by the positioning of intensive care patients face down (prone position) when in mechanical ventilation.
Further research is needed to determine exactly what causes eye damage in these critically ill patients and how this damage changes over time, the researchers said.
But the current study suggests that doctors should consider screening patients with severe Covid-19 for eye problems.
Our data support the need for screening and follow-up of patients to provide appropriate treatment and to improve the management of potentially severe opioid manifestations, the authors said.