Retinal vasoocclusive spectrum following COVID-19

Abstract

The coagulation abnormalities and thromboembolic complications of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are now a well-established fact. The hypercoagulable state, the tendency for thromboembolism, and a cytokine surge state have been the exclusive reasons for multiorgan failure and other morbidities that have been regularly reported in COVID-19 patients. Ocular involvement in patients with active disease and those who have recovered is uncommon but not rare. We report a case series of four patients with CRVO, BRVO, CRAO, and vitreous hemorrhage in patients with proven COVID-19 infection and no other systemic ailments. The case series also tries to correlate the elevated D-dimer values, which signify a plausible prothrombotic state with the vaso-occlusive phenomenon in the retina leading to significant visual morbidity.

Keywords

• branch retinal vein occlusion
• central retinal artery occlusion
• central retinal vein occlusion
• covid-19
• vitreous hemorrhage