Objectives This study aimed to investigate the spectrum of ocular characteristics and viral presence in the conjunctival swab of patients with COVID-19. Methods In this cross-sectional study, fifty-three patients were recruited from two COVID-19 referral hospitals in Jakarta (Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Persahabatan Hospital) from July 2020 to March 2021. The inclusion criteria were patients who were suspected of or confirmed cases of COVID-19 with or without ocular symptoms. Demographic data, history of COVID-19 exposure, underlying medical condition, systemic symptoms, ocular symptoms, supporting laboratory results, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of naso-oropharyngeal (NOP) swab and conjunctival swab were collected. Results Fifty-three patients who were suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Covid-19 were included. Forty-six out of 53 patients (86.79%) tested positive for either Covid-19 antibody rapid test or naso-oropharyngeal (NOP) swab. Forty-two patients tested positive for NOP swab. Fourteen out of 42 patients (33.33%) experienced symptoms of ocular infection including red eye, epiphora, itchy eyes, and eye discharge. None of these patients were tested positive for conjunctival swab. Two out of 42 patients (4.76%), who were tested positive for conjunctival swab, did not experience any ocular symptoms. Conclusions Establishing the relationship between Covid-19 infection, ocular symptoms, and presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the ocular surface proves to be challenging. In Covid-19 patients, ocular symptoms did not warrant a positive conjunctival swab result. On the contrary, a patient without ocular symptoms can also have detectable presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the ocular surface.

ABSTRAK ABSTRACTA 26-year-old male diagnosed with AIDS came with sudden blurred vision and central sco-toma in left eye since 2 weeks before admission. His visual acuity was counting finger at 5 meters with normal IOP and anterior segment. The posterior segment revealed edematous optic nerve covered by exudates and hemorrhages. Due to low CD4+ count and serological test result, we considered a HIV-related opportunistic ocular infection, specifically HSV infection. As visual acuity worsened during treatment with acyclovir, we performed PCR ex-amination from aqueous tap which revealed positive CMV DNA. Unfortunately, the visual acuity had worsened to no light perception before he received any specific anti-CMV agent. CMV papillitis is an unusual presentation of CMV retinitis. PCR examination from aqueous or vitreous tap should be performed while waiting for serological test result, especially in doubtful cases. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis and management can be established early to prevent irreversible visual loss.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the spectrum of ocular characteristics and viral presence in the conjunctival swab of patients with COVID-19.Methods: Fifty-three patients were recruited from two COVID-19 referral hospitals in Jakarta (Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Persahabatan Hospital) from July 2020 to March 2021. The inclusion criteria were patients who were suspected of or confirmed cases of COVID-19 with or without ocular symptoms. Demographic data, history of COVID-19 exposure, underlying medical condition, systemic symptoms, ocular symptoms, supporting laboratory results, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of naso-oropharyngeal (NOP) swab and conjunctival swab were collected.Results: Fifty-three patients who were suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Covid-19 were included. Forty-six out of 53 patients (86.79%) tested positive for either Covid-19 antibody rapid test or naso-oropharyngeal (NOP) swab. Forty-two patients tested positive for NOP swab. Two out of 42 patients (4.76%) who tested positive for NOP swab were also positive for conjunctival swab.Conclusions: Establishing the relationship between Covid-19 infection, ocular symptoms, and presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the ocular surface proves to be challenging. Ocular symptoms did not warrant a positive conjunctival swab result due to nasolacrimal drainage that quickly clears the virus into the respiratory tract. Most importantly, a patient without ocular symptoms can have detectable presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the ocular surface. Hence, tear droplets transmission is possible and preventative measures should be implemented. As ocular involvement is often a systemic response rather than local viral activity, detection of the virus in conjunctival swab is low.