BREAKING COVID-19 News! Turkish Researchers Shockingly Find That SARS-CoV-2 Causes Changes In The Vascular Structures Of The Eyes!

COVID-19 News: The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe, affecting millions of lives and causing widespread concern and interest among researchers. As the medical community grapples with understanding the multifaceted impacts of this novel coronavirus, an intriguing study conducted by Turkish researchers at the Antalya Serik State Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Health Sciences, Antalya, has revealed a shocking discovery: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can cause significant changes in the vascular structures of the eyes.


 
This groundbreaking research covered in this COVID-19 News report, utilized optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to investigate the alterations in the posterior segment structures and vascular density of the eyes in individuals who had contracted COVID-19. By comparing OCTA images taken before COVID-19 infection with those captured six months after recovery, the researchers aimed to shed light on the virus's potential impact on ocular health.
 
Understanding the Context
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge to healthcare professionals and researchers worldwide. Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 is primarily known for its respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. However, it has become increasingly evident that the virus's effects are not confined to the respiratory system alone.
 
This novel coronavirus is notorious for its ability to cause systemic manifestations, affecting various parts of the body. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and the loss of taste and smell. In addition to these general symptoms, ocular findings associated with the virus have also been reported. These ocular symptoms can range from eye watering, itching, and foreign body sensation to more severe conditions such as double vision, blurred vision, and even ischemic optic neuropathy
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The Role of OCTA
To delve into the potential impact of COVID-19 on the eyes, the Turkish researchers turned to optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). OCTA is a non-invasive imaging modality that has gained prominence in recent years for its ability to visualize retinal vascular blood flow. This technology relies on the detection of motion contrast in blood flow to measure the density of both superficial and deep vessels in the macular capillary plexus. Previous studies have compared retinal and choroidal vascular density values in COVID-19 patients with control groups using OCTA and have reported statistically significant results.
 
The Current Study
The Turkish research team embarked on a journey to compare the retinal, choroidal, and optic disc vascular density values, choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in individuals both before and after contracting COVID-19, using the OCTA device. Their hypothesis revolved around the idea that COVID-19 could lead to discernible changes in posterior segment structures and vascular density, which could be visualized and analyzed through OCTA imaging.
 
Patient Selection
The study included 20 eyes of 20 individuals who met specific criteria: they had no pre-existing systemic or ocular diseases and were patients at the Ophthalmology Clinic of Health Sciences University Antalya Training and Research Hospital. These individuals were part of a control group for a previous academic study before the COVID-19 pandemic and later contracted the virus, ultimately recovering without requiring intensive care. None of the patients had developed pneumonia, and their bleeding profile values were within the normal range.
 
Results of the Study
The study group comprised twelve females and eight males, with a mean average age of 36.70 years. A range of ocular symptoms were reported by the participants, including burning and stinging in the eyes, redness, itching, eye pain, and visual impairment. Four patients did not experience any ocular symptoms, highlighting the variability in how COVID-19 can affect the eyes.
 
The results of the study demonstrated some intriguing findings. Before COVID-19 infection, the mean choriocapillaris blood flow was measured at 2.00 ± 0.13 mm^2, and after recovery from the disease, it increased to 2.08 ± 0.23 mm^2.
Similarly, the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness before the disease was 247.33 ± 7.65 μm, while after COVID-19, it measured 273.08 ± 4.92 μm. Both of these measurements showed statistically significant differences (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness exhibited a statistically significant decrease from 119.33 ± 3.88 μm before COVID-19 to 117.50 ± 3.92 μm after recovery (P < 0.001).
 
Discussion: COVID-19's Ocular Impacts
The findings of this study open up intriguing avenues for discussion and further exploration. COVID-19 is not limited to respiratory symptoms, and its systemic effects are becoming increasingly apparent. The virus can lead to a diverse array of symptoms, including those affecting the eyes. Ocular symptoms associated with COVID-19 have been documented in prior research and clinical observations, encompassing conditions such as conjunctivitis, ischemic optic neuropathy, and more.
 
However, this study represents a crucial step forward in understanding the virus's impact on the vascular structures within the eyes. It offers valuable insights into the changes that can occur in the choriocapillaris blood flow, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as a result of COVID-19 infection. These alterations may be attributed to inflammation and increased vascular permeability, which could explain the observed increases in choriocapillaris blood flow and subfoveal choroidal thickness. Additionally, the observed decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness might be related to inflammation and damage to the retinal nerve fibers.
 
Conclusion: Implications for Ocular Health
In conclusion, this study conducted by Turkish researchers marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the ocular effects of COVID-19. It is the first study of its kind to compare pre- and post-disease changes in the vascular values of the retina, choroid, and optic disc in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. The findings suggest that COVID-19 may indeed cause discernible changes in the vascular structures of the eyes, which could be visualized and measured through OCTA imaging.
 
These findings hold implications not only for the understanding of COVID-19 but also for the broader field of ophthalmology. The study underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring and assessing ocular health in individuals recovering from COVID-19. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to delve deeper into these changes and their potential long-term effects on ocular health. As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic's ramifications, studies like this are crucial for gaining insights into the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 and guiding healthcare professionals in providing the best care for patients affected by this formidable virus.
 
The study findings were published as a corrected-proof in the peer reviewed journal: Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0181551223005235
 
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