Ocular manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Immunologic and inflammatory adverse effects following vaccination against COVID-19 are being reported. While some reactions may develop denovo others concern its immunogenic effect in patients with pre-existing inflammatory conditions. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive patients diagnosed with ocular inflammatory manifestations within 8 weeks of receiving COVID-19 vaccination who presented to a tertiary eye care centre in South India. RESULTS: Ninety-eight eyes of 67 patients presenting with ocular inflammatory manifestations within 8 weeks following COVID-19 vaccination were studied. The mean age was 43 years (+/- 14.82; range 19-80 years). The most common presentations were anterior uveitis (n = 31, 31.7%), followed by panuveitis (n = 24, 24.5%). The mean time to onset of symptoms was 25 days (+/- 15.48; range 2-55 days) following a dose of vaccine. Among all patients, 39 (58.2%) had a previous history of ocular inflammation. Mean presenting visual acuity was 0.4 (0-4) logMAR units and mean final visual acuity was 0.2 (0-4) logMAR units. The causes for reduced vision included of cystoid macular edema (n=2, 2%), chorioretinal atrophy (n=2.2%), optic atrophy (n=1.1%), retinal vascular occlusion (n=1.1%) and acute retinal necrosis (n=1.1%). CONCLUSION: Infective and immunogenic adverse events should be watched out for after COVID-19 vaccination. It is difficult to establish causality for such manifestations, nevertheless, most of them were mild and had good final visual outcomes.