Ophthalmological Findings in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Examined at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases - INI/Fiocruz

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics, severity, and ophthalmological changes in SARS-CoV-2 patients through ophthalmological examinations performed at the reference center of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Brazil.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the examination results of SARS-CoV-2 patients from July 2020 to November 2020. In total, 150 patients were included and allocated into three groups of 50 patients depending on the disease severity. Group 1 patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU), group 2 patients were in the semi-ICU, and group 3 patients were outpatients.

Results: Ten (6.7%) patients exhibited ophthalmological changes; five (10%), four (8%), and one (2%) patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Ophthalmological findings included candle flame hemorrhage and cotton wool exudates. We analyzed the general characteristics of the 10 patients with ophthalmological changes. Nine were hospitalized and one was seen on an outpatient basis.

Conclusion: We observed ophthalmic changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite the absence of any clinical or laboratory risk factors indicative of such changes.