Greek Doctors Warn of Growing Incidences of COVID-19 Related Retinal Vascular Occlusion
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 13, 2025 1 month, 2 days, 17 hours, 45 minutes ago
Medical News: Retinal vascular occlusion is an eye condition that can lead to serious vision problems. It occurs when blood flow is blocked in the arteries or veins of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. In recent years, medical researchers have been investigating a possible link between COVID-19 and an increased risk of this condition. The latest study from the 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Greece, provides new insights into how COVID-19 and vaccinations might contribute to retinal vascular occlusion.
Greek Doctors Warn of Growing Incidences of COVID-19 Related Retinal Vascular Occlusion
COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, but it is now widely known that the virus can impact other organs as well. It has been linked to an increased risk of blood clotting and inflammation, leading to complications such as strokes, heart attacks, and vascular issues. This
Medical News report highlights findings that suggest a concerning connection between COVID-19 infection, vaccinations, and retinal vascular occlusion, which includes both retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and retinal artery occlusion (RAO).
Key Findings of the Study
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 34 studies that documented cases of retinal vascular occlusion occurring after COVID-19 infection or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study analyzed a total of 21 patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and 15 patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO).
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO):
-Affected mostly younger individuals (average age 41.9 years)
-Occurred in 21 cases (66.7% male)
-13 cases followed COVID-19 infection, while 8 cases occurred after vaccination
-Symptoms appeared between 8 hours to 51 days after infection or vaccination
-71.4% of patients experienced improvement in vision after treatment
Retinal Artery Occlusion (RAO):
-Affected older individuals (average age 56.9 years)
-15 cases documented (80% male)
-12 cases followed COVID-19 infection, while 3 occurred after vaccination
-Symptoms developed between 2 to 40 days post-infection or vaccination
-53.3% of patients showed no significant improvement in vision despite treatment
The study found that the most common risk factors among affected patients included hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and previous eye conditions. However, a significant number of cases involved individuals with no known pre-existing conditions, raising concerns that COVID-19 or vaccination could independently trigger retinal vascular issues.
The Connection Between COVID-19 and Retinal Blood Clots
COVID-19 has been shown to cause inflammation and abnormal clotting in the bloodstream. The virus interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors, which are found in various body tissues, including the retina. Once the virus enters the bloodstr
eam, it can affect blood circulation, leading to blood vessel damage and clot formation.
Some researchers believe that increased cytokine levels - inflammatory molecules released by the immune system - may contribute to the formation of blood clots in the retina. Additionally, COVID-19-related autoimmune responses may trigger abnormal immune attacks on the vascular system, further increasing the risk of retinal occlusion.
Treatments and Patient Outcomes
Doctors used several treatment approaches for patients experiencing retinal vascular occlusion following COVID-19 infection or vaccination. These included:
-Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, commonly used for vein occlusions
-Corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation
-Antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications, such as aspirin or low molecular weight heparin, for artery occlusions
-Ocular massage and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, to improve retinal blood flow in severe cases
While many RVO patients responded well to treatment and regained some vision, RAO patients had a lower recovery rate. This is because artery occlusions cause more severe damage, often leading to permanent vision loss.
Should People Be Concerned
Although the study highlights a possible link between COVID-19, vaccinations, and retinal vascular occlusions, experts emphasize that these events remain rare. Millions of people worldwide have recovered from COVID-19 or received vaccines without experiencing any retinal complications. However, individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular risks should remain cautious and report any sudden vision changes to their doctors immediately.
The study does not suggest avoiding vaccinations but encourages further research into the potential mechanisms that lead to these rare cases. Future studies may help identify at-risk populations and guide better prevention strategies for those vulnerable to vascular complications.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that COVID-19 and its vaccines may play a role in triggering retinal vascular occlusions in some individuals. The exact mechanisms remain unclear, but factors like inflammation, immune response, and blood clotting abnormalities appear to contribute to the development of retinal occlusion.
Further research is needed to determine whether COVID-19 infection or vaccination significantly increases the risk of these conditions. Meanwhile, individuals experiencing sudden vision changes, blurred vision, or partial vision loss should seek medical attention immediately.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/4/1183
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