Michalina Szczęśniak e-mail: misia.szczesniak@gmail.com,
& Joanna Brydak-Godowska
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
ABSTRACT
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous reports of ocular anomalies occurring
in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged. The
most frequently reported pathology is conjunctivitis, which may be the first or only clinical manifestation of
the disease. Involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in development of alterations in other ocular structures was suggest-
ed, including the cornea, the retina, and blood vessels. Possible mechanisms include direct activity of the viral
agent, as well as systemic inflammatory response with accompanying thromboembolic complications.
Genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in ocular secretions of infected individuals, including asymptom-
atic patients. Moreover, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor protein used by the virus to enter
the cell, has been found on the surface of various structures of the eye, which indicates a risk of transmission
through ocular tissues. Therefore, it is crucial to use eye protection by medical professionals having contact
with potentially infected patients.
This paper is a review of the literature regarding ocular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a summa-
ry of the current state of knowledge about possibility of transmission from an ophthalmology point of view.
For data collection, a thorough PubMed search was performed, using the key words: “COVID ocular”, “COVID
eye”, “SARS-CoV-2 ocular”, and “SARS-CoV-2 eye”.
Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection may manifest itself in various ocular conditions. Eye protection should not
be neglected, as recent studies suggest the eye as a potential route of transmission. Further search for ade-
quate safety measures in ophthalmology practice is required
https://www.medscimonit.com/abstract/index/idArt/931863
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.931863