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Selected Publication:
SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Guttmann, A; Heidinger, A; Woltsche, N; Brodmann, M; Kurzmann-Gütl, K; Nemecz, V; Kaindl, M; Wurzer, H; Schwantzer, G; Horwath-Winter, J.
Ocular symptoms in COVID-19 patients with a history of hospitalization in the first pandemic wave in Styria, Austria.
Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne). 2025; 5:1540904
Doi: 10.3389/fopht.2025.1540904
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- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Guttmann Andreas
- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Brodmann Marianne
- Heidinger Astrid
- Horwath-Winter Jutta
- Kurzmann-Gütl Katharina
- Nemecz Viktoria
- Schwantzer Gerold
- Woltsche Nora
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- Abstract:
- PURPOSE: Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and timing of ocular surface manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, providing insights into the occurrence of eye involvement before, during, or after the illness. This study contributes to understanding the extent of ocular involvement in COVID-19, which has been suggested to occur due to potential viral entry through the eyes. METHODS: 451 confirmed COVID-19 patients had a history of hospitalization in Styria, Austria. The study included 176 patients aged 18-95 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs by RT-PCR and received treatment at two hospitals. Telephone interviews were conducted after recovery, focusing on ocular symptoms and medical history (openMEDOCS). RESULTS: Seventeen percent (n=30) reported new-onset ocular symptoms in the context of COVID-19. Patients with ocular symptoms were younger (p<0.001). Sore throat (p=0.013) and high fever (p=0.038) were significantly more prevalent in patients with new-onset ocular symptoms. Persistent ocular symptoms beyond the duration of hospitalization affected more than half (56.7%) of the participants with new-onset ocular symptoms. However, there were no differences in blood parameters, lung imaging, or comorbidities between groups with and without ocular symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ocular symptoms occur with a significant prevalence of 17%. Younger age (p<0.001) and the presence of sore throat (p=0.013) are associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset ocular symptoms in the context of COVID-19.
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- COVID-19
- ocular symptoms
- prevalence
- conjunctivitis
- SARS-CoV-2