A new study suggests that Covid-19 can cause eye damage in critically ill patients.
For the study, published in the journal Radiology, researchers assessed magnetic resonance imaging of 129 patients with severe Covid-19 in France between March 4 and May 1.
Advanced imaging tests showed that nine of 129 (7%) patients had one or more irregularities in the back of the eyes. The irregularities could indicate possible damage or blockage of blood vessels, small bleeding in the eye, or disruption of nerve fibers.
All but one affected patients had damage to both eyes.
But due to the lack of “systematic ophthalmic examination” of patients in the ICU, researchers were limited by data and were unable to correlate their radiographic findings with changes in vision.
Researchers think these findings could be caused by widespread blood clotting in small blood vessels and disruption of an enzyme that protects the eye from damage. They also suggest that the finding could be related to increased pressure in the eyes caused by IC patients being placed face down (prone position) during 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 doctors should consider screening patients with severe Covid-19 for eye problems.
“Our data support the need for patient screening and follow-up to provide appropriate treatment and improve management of potentially serious ophthalmic manifestations,” said the authors.