A new study suggests that Covid-19 can cause eye damage in critically ill patients.
For the study, published in the journal Radiology, researchers reviewed magnetic resonance imaging of 129 patients who were diagnosed with severe Covid-19 in France between March 4 and May 1.
Advanced imaging tests showed that nine of the 129 (7%) patients had one or more irregularities on the back of the eyes. The irregularities may indicate possible damage or clogging of blood vessels, minor bleeding in the eye or disruption of nerve fibers.
Both patients, except one, had damage to both eyes.
However, due to the lack of ‘systematic ophthalmological examination’ of patients in the ICU, researchers were limited by data and could not correlate their radiographic findings with vision changes.
Researchers believe these findings could be caused by the blood clotting in small vessels and the disruption of an enzyme that protects the eye from damage. They also suggest that the finding may be linked to increased pressure in the eyes caused by placing ICU patients face down (lying position) when they have mechanical ventilation.
Further investigation is needed to determine exactly what causes the damage to the eye in these critically ill patients and how this damage changes over time, the researchers said.
But the current study suggests that doctors should consider examining 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 improve the management of potentially serious ofiological manifestations,” the authors said.