Corneal and conjunctival manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (sars-cov-2)‎ in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal and conjuctival manifestations of patients with positive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Sohag Province, Egypt.

PATIENTS& METHODS: 63 patients who suffered from COVID-19 in the period 10–24 May 2020 at Sohag Tropical Medicine Hospital were enrolled in this study; they were subjected to anterior segment examination by the portable slit lamp or bedside examination.

RESULTS: The study included 63 patients 37 male patients (58.7 %) and 28 female patients (44.4 %).

The mean age of patients was 36.12± 14.24 with age range [19:71ys].

13 cases were presented with anterior segment manifestations.

5(7.9%) patients suffered from conjunctival hyperemia, 2 (3.1%) patients suffered from follicular conjunctivitis, 2 (3.1%) patients presented with conjunctival chemosis and 2(3.1%) patients (one of them was on mechanical ventilation) suffered from subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Conclusion: Important number of COVID-19 patients are presenting with ocular complaints mainly anterior segment manifestation like conjunctival hyperemia and follicular conjunctivitis.

Infection prevention protocols are mandatory to limit potential ocular transmission of COVID19 during the pandemic.