Abstract

Introduction: The new infectious disease "COVID-19", had a broad clinical spectrum. So far, the most commonly known symptoms were respiratory, musculoskeletal, and digestive ones. While ocular symptoms were uncertain and ignored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the eyes and differentiates it from its indirect effect through face mask wear.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used both written and web-based questionnaires, distributed among both COVID-19 and a matched control group, questioning about ocular symptoms and factors which may affect or cause eye symptoms. Face mask durations of use were assessed in terms of the complained ocular manifestation.  The associations between the ocular finding and COVID-19 and with face mask use durations were analysed and adjusted for confounders.

Results: Of 680 participants, 276 had COVID-19 and 404 never had COVID-19. Ocular manifestation incidence was 45.4%, significantly higher than non-infected participants' incidence (36.4%), adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (AOR, 95%CI); 1.48 (1.06-2.08)). Eye discharges (AOR, 95%CI; 2.6 (1.1-5.9)) and photosensitivity (AOR, 95%CI; 7.3 (2.3-22)) were the most exclusive symptom noted in COVID-19 participants compared to healthy control. Though no significance appeared between durations of face mask use for any ocular symptom’s history, when comparing long period face mask wearers with each symptom, dry eye, eye pain, and eye discharges, was found more common among extended periods of face mask use.

Conference Title

JOPAL the 6th

Conference Country

Palestine

Conference Date

May 12, 2022 - May 13, 2022

Conference Sponsor

JORDINIAL COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY