Ocular symptoms in confirmed COVID‐19 patients: A local survey of mid and South Essex trust, England

Purpose: There have been several reports of COVID‐19 affecting the eyes. This retrospective study aimed to investigate which eye symptoms are commonly seen in adults who have previously tested positive for COVID‐19. Methods: Patients were identified based on the primary diagnosis of COVID‐19 on admission to three hospitals in the Mid & South Essex Trust, admitted during April–May of 2020 & Jan–Feb 2021. Ethical approval was obtained and these patients were sent a retrospective questionnaire after discharge. The questionnaires inquired about the presence of eye symptoms experienced before, during and after their covid illness. It also included questions about covid admission duration and hospitalization details. Thirty patient responses were returned and analysed. Results: Ten patients out of 30 respondents (33.33%) developed worsening of pre‐existing eye conditions: Most commonly Tiredness (70%), itchiness(50%), dryness(50%), Grittiness (30%), Redness (30%), Burning (30%), Pain (20%), Discharge (20%) & formation of a Lump/Bump (20%). Ten patients out of 30 respondents (33.33%) also developed new eye symptoms. Most commonly being Tiredness(40%), Vision change(30%), Pain (20%), Grittiness (20%). Conclusions: The majority of the patients experienced ocular symptoms suggestive of a viral conjunctivitis. Such clinical features in patients presenting to the Eye Unit could represent a manifestation of COVID‐19 illness. It could be useful to use these data to consider covid PCR testing in patients who present to eye units with viral ocular presentations. These data may be relevant to any future viral pandemic.