BREAKING! Even mild COVID-19 can cause microvasculature changes of the optic nerve!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 02, 2024 1 month, 2 weeks, 8 hours, 34 minutes ago
Ophthalmology News: As the world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, researchers are uncovering new ways the virus impacts our health. A recent study sheds light on how even mild cases of COVID-19 can affect the optic nerve, providing crucial insights into the broader implications of the virus on eye health. This
Ophthalmology News report delves into the findings of this study, which utilized advanced imaging technology to track changes in the optic nerve over time.
Even mild COVID-19 can cause microvasculature changes of the optic nerve
Study Overview
Researchers from multiple prestigious institutions, including the Eye Research Center at Khatam-al-Anbia Eye Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran, the University of Toronto in Canada, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and Paris Saclay University in France, collaborated on this groundbreaking study. The study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in individuals who had recovered from mild COVID-19.
Methodology
In this prospective observational study, 17 participants who had recovered from mild COVID-19 were selected. These participants, all healthcare workers from Khatam Eye Hospital, were confirmed to have mild COVID-19 through a real-time polymerase chain reaction test. After recovery, their optic nerves were imaged using the Optovue RTVue XR Avanti machine at one month and three months post-recovery. The focus was on assessing the vessel density (VD) in various parts of the optic nerve.
Key Findings
The study revealed some intriguing findings:
-No Change in ONH Parameters: Overall optic nerve head parameters, such as the cup-to-disc ratio and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, remained unchanged over the study period.
-Increased Small Vessel Density: There was a significant increase in small vessel density (VD) in the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network. Notably, this increase was observed in the peripapillary whole area, superior hemifield, inferior-temporal, temporal-superior, and superior-temporal regions.
-Decrease in Inside Disc VD: Contrarily, there was a notable decrease in vessel density inside the disc area, suggesting that while peripheral regions of the optic nerve showed increased vascularity, the central area experienced a reduction.
Implications
These findings indicate that even mild COVID-19 can lead to significant changes in the eye's microvasculature, particularly in the optic nerve. The increase in small vessel density in specific regions of the optic nerve suggests an adaptive or compensatory mechanism in response to the virus's effects. Conversely, the decrease in central disc vessel density might indicate locali
zed vascular damage or alterations in blood flow dynamics post-infection.
These changes in the microvasculature changes of the optic nerve could lead to many serious eye issues in the future.
Already,
Thailand Medical News had reported on past studies that showed that COVID-19 could lead to the onset of Glaucoma and other eye conditions.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-study-claims-that-omicron-infections-can-lead-to-acute-primary-angle-closure-and-also-primary-angle-closure-glaucoma
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-chinese-study-discovers-that-sars-cov-2-increases-the-risk-for-developing-acute-angle-closure-glaucoma
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-sars-cov-2-induced-retinal-microvascular-damage-is-not-reversible-many-will-eventually-become-blind
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-is-able-to-cross-the-blood-retinal-barrier-and-cause-damage-to-the-eyes
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-sars-cov-2-also-causes-acute-macular-neuroretinopathy-but-many-are-unaware-their-eyes-are-affected
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-turkish-study-shows-that-even-mild-sars-cov-2-infections-causes-changes-to-corneal-endothelium-and-slightly-to-corneal-curvature
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-researchers-warn-covid-19-infections-and-covid-19-vaccines-can-trigger-onset-of-vogt-koyanagi-harada-disease-that-can-cause-blindness
Discussion
The study's results align with previous research showing that COVID-19 can affect various body systems, including the vascular system. The optic nerve, being part of the central nervous system, provides a unique window into understanding these vascular changes. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive eye examinations for COVID-19 patients, even those with mild cases, to monitor potential long-term effects on eye health.
Future Directions
While this study provides valuable insights, it also raises several questions. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving these vascular changes and their long-term implications. Studies involving larger cohorts and longer follow-up periods would be beneficial to determine whether these changes are permanent or if the optic nerve can eventually return to its pre-COVID state.
Conclusion
This study highlights a previously underexplored aspect of COVID-19's impact on health. The significant changes in optic nerve microvasculature in individuals who had mild COVID-19 suggest that the virus's effects extend beyond the respiratory system, affecting even those who experience relatively mild symptoms. For healthcare providers, these findings emphasize the importance of monitoring the eye health of COVID-19 patients as part of their post-recovery care.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of International Medical Research.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03000605241263236
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