# Ocular symptoms in COVID-19 patients with a history of hospitalization in the first pandemic wave in Styria, Austria

## TL;DR

This study found that 17% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Austria experienced new ocular symptoms, with younger patients and those with sore throat being more likely to have these symptoms.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and risk factors for ocular symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

## Key findings

- Seventeen percent of hospitalized patients reported new-onset ocular symptoms related to COVID-19.
- Younger patients and those with sore throat were significantly more likely to experience new ocular symptoms.
- Over half of those with new ocular symptoms had persistent symptoms beyond hospitalization.

## Abstract

Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and timing of ocular surface manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, providing insights into the occurrence of eye involvement before, during, or after the illness. This study contributes to understanding the extent of ocular involvement in COVID-19, which has been suggested to occur due to potential viral entry through the eyes.

451 confirmed COVID-19 patients had a history of hospitalization in Styria, Austria. The study included 176 patients aged 18-95 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs by RT-PCR and received treatment at two hospitals. Telephone interviews were conducted after recovery, focusing on ocular symptoms and medical history (openMEDOCS).

Seventeen percent (n=30) reported new-onset ocular symptoms in the context of COVID-19. Patients with ocular symptoms were younger (p<0.001). Sore throat (p=0.013) and high fever (p=0.038) were significantly more prevalent in patients with new-onset ocular symptoms. Persistent ocular symptoms beyond the duration of hospitalization affected more than half (56.7%) of the participants with new-onset ocular symptoms. However, there were no differences in blood parameters, lung imaging, or comorbidities between groups with and without ocular symptoms.

In hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ocular symptoms occur with a significant prevalence of 17%. Younger age (p<0.001) and the presence of sore throat (p=0.013) are associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset ocular symptoms in the context of COVID-19.