Can the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause choroiditis and optic neuropathy?

Abstract

Objectives: We aim to investigate the involvement of the choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in COVID-19 patients using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020. 40 patients (23 female and 17 male) with COVID-19 and 42 healthy individuals (26 female and 16 male) were included in the study. The OCT scans were performed 4 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: In the COVID-19 group, in the right eyes, the mean nasal choroidal thickness was 295.70 ± 7,046 μm ( p = 0.017), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.25 ± 6,353 μm ( p = 0.003), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 296.63 ± 6,324 μm ( p = 0.039), and mean RNFL was 89.23 ± 1.30 μm ( p = 0.227). In the left eyes, mean nasal choroidal thickness was 287.88 ± 9,033 μm ( p = 0.267), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.80 ± 9,457 μm ( p = 0.013), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 298.50 ± 9,158 μm ( p = 0.079), and mean RNFL was 89.48 ± 1,289 μm ( p = 0.092). Compared with the control group, the patient group had significant thickening of the choroidal thickness in all quadrants of the right eyes, and significant thickening of the subfoveal choroidal thickness in the left eyes. There was no significant difference in the RNFL thickness between groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 may cause a subclinical involvement in the choroidal layer.