ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) has an incidence of 0.5-1.2%. COVID-19 is associated with both venous and arterial thromboembolisms due to excessive inflammation, hypoxia, immobilization, and diffuse intravascular coagulation. AIM: The present study aims to describe our experience with BRVO in Egyptian COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study included 17 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-proven COVID-19 patients with BRVO. Data obtained from the studied patients included detailed history taking. In addition, patients were diagnosed with BRVO based on a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation, including logMAR Best-corrected visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp bio-microscopy, fundoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography macular assessment. RESULT(S): The present study included 17 PCR-proven COVID-19 patients with BRVO. They comprised 9 males (52.9%) and 8 females (47.1%) with an age of 52.8 +/- 13.3 years. Fundus examination revealed BRVO as superior temporal in 9 patients (52.9%), inferior temporal in 5 patients (29.4%), superior nasal in 2 patients (11.8%), and inferior nasal in 1 patient (5.9%). The reported retinal thickness was 355.7 +/- 41.7 microm. In addition, fundus fluorescein angiography identified ischemic changes in 2 patients (11.8%). CONCLUSION(S): BRVO is a rare severe complication of COVID-19 infection. In patients with proven or suspected infection with a diminution of vision, there should be high suspicion of BRVO and prompt full-scale ophthalmological examination to exclude the condition. Copyright © 2022 Sanaa Ahmed Mohamed, Marwa Byomy, Eman El Sayed Mohamed El Sayed, Mostafa Osman Hussein, Marwa M. Abdulrehim, Ahmed Gomaa Elmahdy.
ABSTRACT
A cilioretinal artery occlusion (CLRAO) associated with optic disc edema was diagnosed in a patient seven days after the second dose of viral vector SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The patient developed sudden blurred vision in the inferior hemifield of the right eye. His fundus examination showed retina edema at the superotemporal quadrant within vascular arcades of the right eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and optical coherent tomography angiography (OCTA) were used to confirm the diagnosis.