A recent study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology points out that Covid-19 contaminations could be linked to an increase in ocular occlusions, manifested by a sudden blood circulation disorder in the back of the eye. Explanations.
Concretely, a blood clot forms in a vein or an artery of the retina, obstructing the sight, which can quickly create irreversible damage. The researchers looked at a cohort of more than 430,000 people who had contracted Covid-19 and found that the cases of occlusions were significantly higher compared to the general population not affected by the virus.
A rare effect
The researchers found 65 cases in this cohort, a small number. Ocular occlusion would therefore not be a common post-Covid effect, they even qualify it as “rare”. But when they compare to the rate in the general population, they still note that with the coronavirus, the risk increases by 54%. Two types of accidents are identified: occlusion of the central retinal artery and retinal vein occlusion.
The researchers believe that there may be a causal link between the disease and the occlusions but cannot certify it 100%. Furthermore, they point out that the increase in blood circulation disorders is already known with this virus. In an interview with 20 Minutes, Professor Gilles Renard, scientific director of the French Society of Ophthalmology and former head of the ophthalmology department at the Hôtel-Dieu explains that diabetes or high blood pressure are other risk factors for these accidents. The scientists who signed the study in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology believe that the risks could spread over 6 months after infection.
Source: Changes in the Incidence of Retinal Vascular Occlusions After COVID-19 Diagnosis, JAMA Ophthalmology, April 14, 2022.
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