Purpose: The present study aimed to look for visual and ocular manifestations during the recovery phase as possible sequelae of COVID-19 infections for prompt diagnosis and management
Methods: This cross-sectional pilot observational study was done on eighty (80) patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection with recent ocular findings during the out-patient clinic and routine checkup at October 6 University Hospital Outpatient clinic during the period from September 2021 to May 2022. Patients with active COVID-19 infection, severe cases with intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilator, history of taking chemotherapy, and pregnant women were excluded from the study.
Results: Eighteen out of the eighty patients (22.5%) were found to have positive ocular findings resulting from their COVID illness. 39% of them were females while, 61% were males. As regard onset of symptoms, 12 patients showed early onset of symptoms while 5 showed late onset of symptoms. As regard ocular findings, 39% of patients suffered from diseases of external eye, 33% patients diagnosed by posterior segment affection, 17% of orbit diseases affection, and finally 11% showed anterior segment diseases.
Conclusion: COVID 19 affects ocular, extraocular and adnexal tissues. The prevalence of ophthalmic manifestations among COVID-19 patients was 22.5% of the tested subjects. The highest number of patients suffered from external eye diseases, followed by the posterior segment diseases, subsequently orbit pathology, and finally anterior segment diseases.