Retinal Vascular Changes in Patients After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The study examines changes in retinal oximetry in patients after COVID-19 disease. It aims to analyze and quantify possible retinal microvascular abnormalities that may result from possible post-inflammatory damage to the endothelium of the vessels associated with COVID-19 disease. Retinal vascular involvement may indicate similar changes in the vascular system in other organs.

Inclusion Criteria:age over 18 yearshistory of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV2-infectiontransparent ocular media allowing for fundus photographysigned informed consentExclusion Criteria:known eye disease that has been shown to affect retinal oxygen saturation (diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, use of antiglaucoma drugs)any other serious eye disease (advanced or decompensated glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, ocular tumors)reduced transparency of the ocular media limiting the visualization of the ocular background and preventing a good quality image from being taken (severe dry eye syndrome, corneal scarring, cataract, significant vitreous haze, vitreous hemorrhage)significant refractive error not allowing for sharpening of imaging examinationsprevious intraocular surgery except cataract surgery if performed more than 3 months before the examinationprevious intravitreal application of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy or laser photocoagulation of the retinaprevious severe eye injuryacute eye infectionknown systemic disease affecting retinal oxygen saturation or causing changes in the ocular background (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple myeloma, malignant hypertension, hyperglobulinemia)pregnancy, breastfeeding