Conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in patients with COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 that might affect the eye in the form of conjunctivitis and other ocular features. OBJECTIVES: Assess the frequency and clinical profile of conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in Iraqi patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING: Secondary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of variable disease severity from June 2020 to December 2020. Ocular history and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection was assessed for all of the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of conjunctival inflammation and other ocular findings in patients with coronavirus infection. SAMPLE SIZE: 186 patients. RESULTS: The patients had a mean (standard deviation, range) age of 44.4 (18.8, 18–78) years. Conjunctivitis was present in 25 patients (13.4%). There was no significant association between prevalence of conjunctivitis and patient gender (P=.868). However, conjunctivitis was significantly associated with the severity of the disease (P=.018): the rate of conjunctivitis was significantly higher in cases with severe disease (28%) in comparison with those with mild to moderate clinical presentation (9.3%). The natural course of conjunctivitis seemed to be mild with no effect on visual acuity and no short-term complications. CONCLUSION: Conjunctivitis can occur in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, and could be a presenting sign. Conjunctivitis is more common in cases of severe COVID-19 infection and since it could be a presenting sign it might be of benefit in the early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. LIMITATION: Single-center study, safety limitations in the examination of the patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.