Coronavirus Transmission Trough Ocular Secretion: A Review of Coronavirus and Ocular Manifestations

Abstract

COVID-19 (Corona Virus Diseases-2019) is the newest global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). This article aims to study the relationship between COVID-19 and the conjunctival swab test systemically. This article is based on several scientific reports related to conjunctival swab performed in COVID-19 patients from the PUBMED database, Google Scholar, Springer Link, Elsevier, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and Wiley Online Library. Keywords used are conjunctivitis, ocular, ophthalmic, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, 2019-nCoV, Coronavirus, Coronavirus-19, Coronavirus19, pathophysiology, mechanisms, tear, conjunctival swab, RT-PCR, and conjunctiva. Eight reports were reviewed in this article. Respiratory symptoms and ocular manifestation such as conjunctivitis with hyperemic eyes, conjunctival chemosis, epiphora, and other rare ocular manifestations were observed in COVID-19 patients. Ocular manifestation may present as a sole symptom, prodromal symptom, simultaneously appear with the systemic symptom, or as residual floaters. Various therapy was given according to the complaints. RT-PCR results from the conjunctival swab test may be positive and negative in COVID-19 patients with conjunctivitis. From this article, we hope to highlight the importance to take optimal prevention measures for medical staff despite the presence or absence of ocular clinical manifestation