Purpose: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the conjunctival swab sample of positive confirmed COVID-19 patients and to find out its association with comorbidity and severity of COVID-19 disease. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study at a dedicated tertiary COVID-19 hospital in central India for a period of 8 weeks from February 2021to March 2021. We included patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA through nasopharyngeal swab and were above 18 years of age. Swab samples have been collected within 48 h of admission. Conjunctival swab was taken from the lower fornix of both eyes and sent to microbiology laboratory for real-time- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Out of 150 patients, conjunctival swab RT-PCR was positive in five patients (3.33%). Two patients had conjunctival manifestations in the form of conjunctivitis but conjunctival swab RT-PCR was negative in those patients. Among the RT-PCR positive patients, two (40%) were from mild, one (20%) was from moderate, and two (40%) were from severe category. No association could be established between conjunctival swab RT-PCR positivity and severity of the disease or associated comorbidity. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected in conjunctival secretions, and though the risk is relatively low, the eye may act as source of transmission. Extra caution should be taken by healthcare workers, and use of proper precautions like face shields and goggles should be encouraged.

To evaluate postoperative ocular alignment at day 1 and at 6 months after unilateral LR recessionmedial rectus (MR) resection bilateral LR recession for Intermittent exotropia. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively medical records of 30 patients who underwent unilateral LR recession with MR resection and bilateral LR recession for intermittent exotropia were evaluated at postop day 1 & at 6 months. Each patient underwent complete orthoptic examination and had surgery plan for orthophoria. Surgical outcomes in reference of postoperative angle were compared & grouped as group A (esotropia 8-15 PD), group B (Orthotropia or esotropia/exotropia-8 PD) & group C (exotropia>8-15 PD). Success alignment was defined as orthotropia or esotropia/ exotropia wihtin 6-8 PD. Results: Out of 30 patients, 19 underwent unilateral LR recession with MR resection & 11 underwent and bilateral LR recession. Pre-operative. Mean angle was 49.5 . Surgical outcome at post-operative day 1 in group A, B, C were 10%, 73.3%,16.7% respectively. Surgical outcome at 6 months in group A, B & C were 3.4%, 76.6% & 20% respectively. Surgical success at early ocular alignment and at 6 months 73.3% and 76.6% respectively. At 6 months success outcome in BLR was 81.8% & that in R/R was 73.6%. Conclusion: Early postoperative ocular alignment of intermittent exotropia at day 1 can be a determinant of orthophoria at 6 months. Orthophoric or slight overcorrection gives better ocular alignment but, prediction of long-term ocular alignment remains a grey zone.