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.
Topical treatment numerically reduced progression to treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity in a randomized trial, although the primary endpoint was not met.
