DR. SAMEEKSHA

DR. ANKIT AGRAWAL, DR. VIJAY KUMAR AGRAWAL, DR.KRISHNA KUMAR AGRAWAL

Abstract

Methods – Retrospective cohort study with history of retinal vascular occlusion who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection between January 20, 2020, and May 31, 2022.

The avg biweekly incidence of new retinal vascular occlusions (RAO or RVO) was compared between the pre–COVID-19 infection period (26 to 2 weeks before diagnosis) and the post-infection period (2 weeks before to 26 weeks after diagnosis). A total of 500 patients with history of COVID-19 infection included. The incidence of new RVOs was higher in the 6 months after COVID-19 infection compared with the 6 months before infection. There was increase in the incidence of RAOs after COVID-19 diagnosis. The peak incidence of RVOs occurred 6 to 8 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Conclusion -Evidence of increased risk for retinal vascular occlusion associated with COVID-19 infection,due to combination of vascular damage and risk of higher embolism formation. Clinicians need to consider this factor when evaluating these patients.