FREQUENCY OF OCULAR SYMPTOMS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the frequency of ocular symptoms in COVID 19 patients and its association with systemic symptoms in active COVID 19 patients.   Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted in isolation wards for a period from Dec 16, 2020 to Jan 15, 2021. A structured form was used to extract the data from electronic medical records. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, systemic signs and symptoms, ocular symptoms, past medical history, RT-PCR and chest radiographic findings.  Results: A total of 44 patients (30 (68.2%) males and 14 (31.82%) females) were admitted to the isolation wards during the study period. The mean age (+ SD) age was 55.75 + 14.53 with median range 57.50 (14-92). Age <30 years i.e. 4.5%, 30-50 i.e. 27.3% and >50 i.e. 68.2%.Ocular symptoms were present in 17 patients (38.6%).   Conclusion:  We conclude from our study that Ocular symptoms were present in 17 patients (38.6%) out of 44 (Total number of patients) However, these symptoms were mild, had no fixed pattern of occurrence, neither associated with the severity of the systemic disease nor associated with any serious ocular outcome