EVALUATION OF EYE CARE AND OCULAR FINDINGS IN CRITICALLY ILL COVID-19 PATIENTS

Objective The current study aimed to evaluate eyecare needs along with ocular findings in patients treated in intensive care units because of Covid‐19 infection. Materials and Methods A total of 93 patients, 58 men and 35 women, who were under follow‐up and treatment in intensive care because of COVID‐19 infection from 1 January 2021 to 15 February 2021 were included in the study. Detailed eye examinations of the patients were performed with a portable handheld biomicroscope, direct and indirect ophthalmoscope. Cases requiring treatment for eye diseases were identified and treated. Results The mean patient age was 68.32 ± 9.97 years; 35 patients were followed up and treated with non‐invasive mechanical ventilation and 58 patients with invasive mechanical ventilation support. Mild, moderate, and severe chemosis was observed in 19 patients (20.4%), 10 patients (10.8%) and 4 patients (4.3%), respectively. Conjunctivitis (8.6%) was observed in eight patients. Corneal abrasion was present in seven patients (7.5%). Keratitis secondary to exposure keratopathy was observed in one patient. Eye care and medical treatment were initiated for these patients. We noted eight patients (8.6%) with retinal haemorrhage; however, to the best of our knowledge, these patients may show acute retinal involvement secondary to systemic diseases or have previous retinal findings other than Covid‐19 infection or treatments. Conclusion Findings of ocular involvement because of COVID‐19 infection were detected in the present study. Retinal haemorrhages were detected in addition to the common findings in viral infections. Especially in patients supported with mechanical ventilation, the detection and treatment of conditions that require eye care for exposure keratopathy are very important for recovering from the disease and the quality of vision.