Concomitant Ocular Diseases in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the presence of chronic ocular diseases in patients who had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test of oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 virus. Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine all hospitalized patients who had a positive rRT‐PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 virus. From these patients, who applied to eye polyclinics in the last one year were included and the diagnosis was investigated. Results: This study investigated 1120 patients with a positive rRT‐PCR test. Of these patients, 178 (15.8%) had applied to eye clinics previously. The most common diseases were refractive errors, dry eye syndrome, blepharoconjunctivitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. Conclusion: The rate of concomitant ocular diseases in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was 15.8%. Avoiding touching the face and eyes and hand hygiene were the main prevention ways from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Concomitant ocular diseases might increase the risk of contact transmission routes.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• covid-19
• göz hastalıkları
• sars-cov-2
• covid-19
• eye disease