Frontiers in Pharmacology (Dec 2020)

Case Report: Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in a COVID-19 Patient

  • Andrea Montesel,
  • Claudio Bucolo,
  • Victoria Mouvet,
  • Emmanuelle Moret,
  • Chiara M. Eandi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.588384
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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We report a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in a patient with a previous history of severe COVID-19 disease. This disease has been associated with inflammatory-induced homeostasis changes leading to endothelial dysfunction and a procoagulant state with multi-organ involvement, but the burden of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients is currently unknown. The pathogenesis of retinal artery occlusions is a multifactorial process where inflammation and hypercoagulation state are established risk factors. Even if our experience may represent a coincidental relationship, it is likely that COVID-19 patients could be at risk of developing retinal vascular occlusions. A focused ophthalmological surveillance is advisable to prevent and manage this possible cause of severe vision loss that has an important impact in health care system.

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