Abstract
Purpose To perform a systematic analysis of articles on the ophthalmological implications
of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods PubMed.gov was searched for relevant articles using the keywords “COVID-19”, “coronavirus”,
and “SARS-CoV-2” in conjunction with “ophthalmology” and “eye”. Moreover, official
recommendations of ophthalmological societies were systematically reviewed, with a
focus on the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
(RCOphth).
Results As of April 16, 2020, in total, 21 peer-reviewed articles on the ophthalmological
aspects of COVID-19 were identified. Of these, 12 (57.1%) were from Asia, 6 (28.6%)
from the United States of America, and 3 (14.3%) from Europe. There were 5 (23.8%)
original studies, 10 (47.6%) letters, 3 (14.2%) case reports, and 3 (14.2%) reviews.
These articles could be classified into the topics “Modes and prevention of (ocular)
transmission”, “Ophthalmological manifestations of COVID-19”, “Clinical guidance concerning
ophthalmological practice during the COVID-19 pandemic”, and “Practical recommendations
for clinical infrastructure”. Practical recommendations could be extracted from official
statements of the AAO and the RCOphth.
Conclusion Within a short period, a growing body of articles has started to elucidate the ophthalmological
implications of COVID-19. As the eye can represent a route of infection (actively
via tears and passively via the nasoacrimal duct), ophthalmological care has to undergo
substantial modifications during this pandemic. In the eye, COVID-19 can manifest
as keratoconjunctivitis.
Key words
ophthalmology - ophthalmological - Corona
