French scientists using MRI have found significant abnormalities in the eyes of some people with severe COVID-19, Report informs, referring to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) journal.
While the virus primarily attacks the lungs, it has been linked with eye abnormalities like conjunctivitis and retinopathy. Eye abnormalities visible on MRI exams have been reported, but there is limited research on the nature and frequency of these abnormalities.
To find out more, the French Society of Neuroradiology (SFNR) initiated a study of 129 patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent brain MRI.
Of the 129 patients, nine (7 percent) had abnormal MRI findings of the globe or eyeball. The MRI scans showed one or more nodules in the back part, or posterior pole, of the eyeball. Eight of the nine patients had spent time in the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19.
All nine patients had nodules in the macular region, and eight had nodules in both eyes.
The results suggest that screening should be considered in all patients with severe COVID-19 to detect these nodules. This screening could include dedicated exploration of the eyes with high-resolution MRI in clinical practice, the researchers said.
The authors are also performing MRI examinations in new patients with severe COVID-19 from the second and third waves of the pandemic, using more comprehensive ophthalmological tests to correlate with the MRI results.
The effects on patients with moderate COVID-19 are currently under investigation.