Ocular manifestation, comorbidities, and detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 from conjunctiva in coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiao Chun Ling; Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang; Jui-Yen Lin; Hung-Chi Chen; Chi-Chun Lai; David Hui-Kang Ma; Wei-Chi Wu

doi:10.4103/tjo.tjo_53_20

Users Online: 110

REVIEW ARTICLE

Year : 2020 | Volume : 10 | Issue : 3 | Page : 153-166

Ocular manifestation, comorbidities, and detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 from conjunctiva in coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiao Chun Ling¹, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang¹, Jui-Yen Lin¹, Hung-Chi Chen², Chi-Chun Lai³, David Hui-Kang Ma⁴, Wei-Chi Wu²
¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
² Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
³ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan; Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou; Department of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China

Correspondence Address:
Dr. David Hui-Kang Ma
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, FuHsin Road, Taoyuan 333

Dr. Wei-Chi Wu
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, FuHsin Road, Taoyuan 333
Taiwan

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_53_20

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic has presented major challenges to ophthalmologists. Reports have shown that ocular manifestations can be the first presenting symptoms of COVID 19 infection and conjunctiva may be a portal of entry for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) associated coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2). The purpose of this article is to provide general guidance for ophthalmologists to understand the prevalence of ocular presentation in COVID 19 patients and to reduce the risk of transmission during practice. Relevant studies published in the period of November 1, 2019, and July 15, 2020, regarding ocular manifestations of COVID 19 and detection of SARS CoV 2 in the eye were included in this systematic review and meta analysis. The pooled prevalence of the ocular manifestations has been estimated at 7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03–0.10) among COVID 19 patients. The pooled detection rate of SARS CoV 2 from conjunctiva was low (1%, 95% CI: 0.00–0.03). Conjunctival symptoms were the most common ocular manifestations in COVID 19, but the positive detection rate of the SARS CoV 2 virus by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction of conjunctival tears or secretions remained low. No study has shown a definite transmission of COVID 19 through ocular mucosa or secretions. In summary, ocular manifestations in COVID 19 patients commonly comprise ocular surface symptoms. Although a low prevalence of ocular symptoms was encountered among patients infected by SARS CoV 2, it is imperative for all ophthalmologists to understand the full spectrum of COVID 19 symptoms or signs including those of the eyes as well as to adopt appropriate protective measures during clinical practice.

[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*

Table of Contents

Similar in PUBMED

Search Pubmed for

Search in Google Scholar for

Related articles

Citation Manager

Access Statistics

Reader Comments

Email Alert *

Add to My List *

* Requires registration (Free)

Article Access Statistics

Viewed	6919

Printed	158

Emailed	0

PDF Downloaded	831

Comments	[Add]

Cited by others	12