Objective:
To investigate persistent ocular symptoms in individuals who had mild COVID-19 and to identify potential neuroimmune signatures associated with these symptoms.
Approach:
- Study Design: Prospective examination of 100 individuals with persistent ocular symptoms post-COVID-19 compared to 32 controls without ocular symptoms.
- Methods: Utilized symptom questionnaires, quality-of-life measures, ophthalmic testing, in vivo confocal microscopy, dynamic pupillometry, corneal sensitivity testing, and tear-film proteomics.
Key Findings:
- 68% of participants developed ocular symptoms within 0.2-4 months post-infection.
- 78.2% of affected individuals had symptoms persisting for at least one year, and 33.3% for at least two years.
- Significantly greater vision-related disability reported in the persistent ocular symptoms group compared to controls.
- Routine clinical examinations did not explain the ocular complaints; specialized tests revealed deficits in near visual acuity and binocular function.
- In vivo confocal microscopy showed reduced corneal subbasal nerve density and evidence of ocular dysautonomia.
- Tear film proteomics identified 178 dysregulated proteins in the persistent symptoms group, with five remaining significant after adjustments.
Limitations:
- Modest sample size.
- Lack of prevalence estimates.
- Reliance on self-reported symptoms.
Sources:
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