Acute angle-closure glaucoma concurrent with COVID 19 infection; case report.

INTRODUCTION: To report three cases that developed acute angle-closure glaucoma on the background of hyponatremia due to COVID 19 infection. METHODS: Data of patients with positive PCR result for COVID 19 infection and concurrent findings of acute angle-closure glaucoma were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The common characteristic of all cases was positive PCR test for COVID 19 infection taken from the nasopharyngeal swab 4 or 5 days ago. Their serum sodium levels were lower than 135 mmol / L. At the initial ophthalmic examination, all cases had diffuse corneal edema with shallow anterior chambers and mid-dilated non-reacting pupils.The choroid was evaluated as normal by ocular ultrasonography. Intraocular pressures (IOP) of the first, second, and third cases were 35 mmHg, 44 mmHg, and 40 mm Hg, respectively. 5-10 cc/kg mannitol was given to all patients intravenously within 30 min. Simultaneously, they began to use oral acetazolamide, topical pilocarpine, beta-blocker, and prednisolone acetate drops.After stabilization of IOP, Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet;(ND: YAG) Laser iridotomy was performed on all patients. No additional fluid therapy was given to the patients other than mannitol, and it was determined that the blood sodium level remained at normal levels after diuresis. DISCUSSION: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in COVID 19 infection. Hyponatremia may cause an angle-closure attack in patients with shallow anterior chamber angles.Therefore, one should be aware of the possibility of angle-closure glaucoma in patients who develop hyponatremia due to COVID 19 disease. Suspected patients should be referred to the ophthalmology department.

Outcomes of the Ophthalmic Examinations in Patients Infected by SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: To evaluate ophthalmic examination results which were performed with slit-lamp biomicroscope, in patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: In the present study, 50 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, were enrolled. Ophthalmic examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed and the results were evaluated.Results: The mean age of 50 patients (24 females, 26 males) included in this study, was 58,26 ± 18,91 years. In nine patients, bilateral acute follicular conjunctivitis was present. In two patients, acute anterior uveitis was seen. Optic disc and macula were normal in all patients. Preauricular lymphadenopathy (LAP) was found in 6 (12%) patients. Of these six patients, five had follicular conjunctivitis, and one had anterior uveitis.Conclusion: Acute follicular conjunctivitis with preauricular LAP and anterior uveitis were detected and no fundus pathologies were found in detailed ophthalmic examination in patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

Evaluation of Conjunctival Swab PCR Results in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

PURPOSE: The study objective was to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in conjunctival swabs from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Forty patients who tested positive by real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were enrolled. Conjunctival swabbing was used to collect the tear and conjunctival secretions of patients. RESULTS: Conjunctival swab rRT-PCR was positive for three patients and negative for 37 patients. Ten of the patients (25%) were diagnosed with conjunctivitis during the ophthalmic examination. Of these patients, one was found positive by conjunctival swab rRT-PCR, and nine were found negative. The difference between patients who tested positive or negative using conjunctival swab rRT-PCR was without statistical significance in terms of the presence of conjunctivitis (p = .720). CONCLUSION: The rate of positivity from conjunctival swab rRT-PCR was 7.5% in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.