Central retinal artery occlusion combined with central retinal vein occlusion in a COVID-19 patient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multi-system involvement, including ocular involvement, after SARS-CoV-2 infection has raised awareness in recent years. More in-depth research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 and ocular diseases.

CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old female patient reported the symptom of painless vision loss in the right eye 1 week after a diagnosis of COVID-19.A comprehensive ocular examination was conducted, and a diagnosis of post-COVID-19 central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) combined with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was made. The patient was treated with vasodilators without any improvement in visual acuity.

CONCLUSION: The mechanism of retina involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection is suspected to be related to direct viral infection of the retina and the immune response caused by the virus. Moreover, various studies have shown that COVID-19 is associated with hypercoagulable states and thrombotic risk, which are both leading causes of CRAO and CRVO. More in-depth research is needed to understand the association between COVID-19 and CRAO/CRVO as well as other ocular diseases.