Original article

Does SarsCoV-2 infection really cause damage to retinal microcirculation in mild cases of COVID-19?

Authors

• • Adisa Pilavdžić Adisa Pilavdžić ORCID profile. (opens in new tab)
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Suzana Pavljašević
  • Eye Polyclinic Health Centre, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Amra Nadarević Vodenčarević
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Anis Međedović
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Meliha Halilbašić
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Alma Čičkušić
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Nejra Hodžić
  • Plava Medical Group Tuzla, Tuzla, Department of Ophthalmology , Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Sumeja Terzić
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Azra Šmigalović
  • Health Centre Kalesija, Kalesija, Eye Polyclinic , Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Sanela Muhović
  • University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Eye Clinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate changes of retinal microcirculation in mild cases of recovered COVID-19 patients at least three months after the infection by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) non-invasive method.

Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 50 right eyes of 50 recovered COVID-19 patients were compared with 50 right eyes of age and gender-matched healthy controls. After the complete ophthalmological examination, all participants underwent OCTA measurements (RTVue XR Avanti, Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA).

Results: The time between the initial onset of symptoms, and ophthalmologic examination was 479.20 ±197.10 (126-754) days. Findings of ophthalmic examination of all eyes of the recovered COVID-19 patients were within normal range. Significantly reduced superficial (p=0.046) and deep (p=0.044) macular vessel density (VD) in foveal region in the eyes of the recovered COVID-19 patients was found compared with healthy controls. Significantly enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and perimeter in the eyes of the recovered COVID-19 patients (p<0.001) were found too.

Conclusion: Recovered COVID-19 patients have impaired retinal microcirculation, which can be a cause of the development of retinal vascular diseases.

Keywords: coronavirus, OCT angiography, retina, vascular density

How to Cite: Pilavdžić, A. , Pavljašević, S. , Nadarević Vodenčarević, A. , Međedović, A. , Halilbašić, M. , Čičkušić, A. , Hodžić, N. , Terzić, S. , Šmigalović, A. & Muhović, S. (2023) “Does SarsCoV-2 infection really cause damage to retinal microcirculation in mild cases of COVID-19?”, Medicinski glasnik. 21(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.17392/1633-23