Ocular Symptoms Among COVID-19 Positive Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a widespread viral illness, has been linked to a range of respiratory and other systemic symptoms. Along with the respiratory symptoms caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), many extrapulmonary manifestations have also been reported. This study was conducted to report the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in confirmed cases from the Qassim region, of Saudi Arabia. Methods In this retrospective survey-based study, an electronic survey was distributed via social media to individuals who reported a positive COVID-19 test. Demographic data, medical and ocular history, and data about their COVID-19 infection and ocular symptoms were collected. Results A total of 200 survey responses were included (35% male and 65% female, age 30.3 years). At least one ocular symptom was reported by 41 (20.5%) participants. Light sensitivity (8.5%), blurred vision (7.5%), redness (7.0%), and eye pain (7.0%) were the most common ocular symptoms. Conclusion Among the study participants, ocular symptoms were reported by more than one-fifth of the COVID-19 patients. These ocular symptoms were mostly mild. Further research is required to fully understand the association between COVID-19 and ocular manifestations.