Retinal autofluorescence findings after COVID-19

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of retinal autofluorescence findings in COVID-19 patients. Observational study conducted in São Paulo in 2020. Demographic, medical history, and concomitant events, as well as medications used, hospitalization details, and laboratory test results, were obtained. Patients underwent eye examination and multimodal imaging, including color, red-free, autofluorescence fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Eighteen patients had autofluorescence findings (6 females; average age 54 years, range 31 to 86 years; 26 eyes). Hyper-autofluorescence findings were present in 6 patients, Hypo-autofluorescence in 14 patients, and 6 patients had mixed pattern lesions. Retinal autofluorescence abnormalities were present in COVID-19 patients and may be secondary to primary or secondary changes caused by the SARS-CoV-2.

Use of Imaging Technology to Assess the Effect of COVID-19 on Retinal Tissues: A Systematic Review

“…Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging provides a topographic mapping of lipofuscin distribution in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell layer and other fluorophores in the outer retina and sub-neurosensory space. A study by Marinho et al [ 71 ] aimed to investigate FAF findings in COVID-19 patients. Of a cohort of 106 patients, 18 had FAF findings.…”

The spectrum of COVID-19-associated chorioretinal vasculopathy

“… OCT, OCTA Retinal hemorrhages (n = 1) Sim et al 99 108 COVID-19+ patients 36 ± 5.4 Mild Fundus exams were performed between 12 and 20 days after PCR diagnosis. OCT Retinal hemorrhages (n = 8) Vascular tortuosity (n = 6) CWS (n = 2) Hyperreflective plaques on OCT (n = 11) Ozbas et al 100 105 (M = 58, F = 47) 40.65 ± 12.53 No symptoms or mild 14–55 days (median 28 days) OCT, OCTA Retinal pallor (n = 2) DBH (n = 2) Vascular tortuosity (n = 3) Flame hemorrhage (n = 1) Marinho et al 101 18 (M = 12, F = 6) 54 ± 15 Mild (n = 6), moderate/severe (n = 12) 44 days ± 22 from symptom onset OCT, FAF Hyperautofluorescence (n = 5) Hypoautofluorescence (n = 14) Bansal et al 102 Acute: 142 (M = 84, F = 58) Convalescent: 93 (M = 57, F = 36) Acute: 48.16 ± 15.7 Convalescent: 41.09 ± 15.84 Acute: mild (n = 69), moderate (n = 29), and severe (n = 44) Convalescent: asymptomatic (n = 36), mild (n = 33), moderate (n = 23), and severe (n = 1) Acute phase: mean 8.1 ± 6.64 days Convalescent phase: mean 37.3 ± 14.8 days Not reported Acute phase: 27/143 patients presented with retinal findings. No patient's acute phase lesions could be exclusively attributed to COVID-19 disease.…”