COVID-19 and the Eye: Ocular Manifestations, Treatment and Protection Measures.
Arif Ülkü YenerPublished in: Ocular immunology and inflammation (2021)
The novel pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) leading to health and economic problems worldwide is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although COVID-19 mainly occurs as a lower respiratory tract infection, there is multiorgan involvement in infected patients. The disease is transmitted from person to person through air droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. SARS-CoV-2 leads to this systemic involvement by attaching to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors located on several human cells. Since SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been found in tears of infected patients, ocular surface may allow the virus to transmit to nasopharynx via the nasolacrimal duct. This narrative review aims to sum up all segmental ocular complications, ocular adverse effects of COVID-19 treatment, and preventive measures suggested to minimize the SARS-CoV-2 transmission between patients and ophthalmologists by reviewing currently available literature.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- coronavirus disease
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- respiratory tract
- angiotensin ii
- end stage renal disease
- mental health
- healthcare
- chronic kidney disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- systematic review
- prognostic factors
- optic nerve
- emergency department
- staphylococcus aureus
- health information
- heavy metals
- combination therapy
- replacement therapy