ABSTRACT
Introduction: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a highly contagious and deadly infection. Aim: To evaluate the epidemiological pattern and spectrum of the covid ocular morbidity and appraise the typical presentation of ocular manifestations in hospitalized covid patients. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals, who were hospitalized for COVID treatment between May 2021 and June 2021. The Data on patient history, physical exam, thorough ocular examination, laboratory results, and hospital disposition were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 658 patients were included. Ocular signs and symptoms were noted in 162 (24.62%) patients. 51.6% patients wereof >50 years of age and 54.1% were males. 71.6% of them belonged to urban community.75.3% patients developed ocular discomfort with in acute (<1 week) period of covid infection. The most common ocular abnormality was watering with conjunctival irritation, followed by conjunctival injection and lid swelling. Among the 162 patients, 30 (79.0%) developed ocular involvement prior to day 30 of onset of their COVID symptoms. 56.7% patients relieved from ocular discomfort after treatment. 5.7% patients reported deterioration of visual acuity. 65.8% patients reported ocular discomfort associated with regular oxygen mask wearing. Most significant ocular morbidity was black discoloration of lids and peri ocular skin, lid swelling, and redness and purulent discharge of conjunctivitis needed emergency ophthalmic reference. Conclusion: spectrum of covid sore eyes extends from ocular irritation to mucormycosis and other long-term complications.