Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Retinal and Choroidal Microvasculature in Early and Three Months Post Covid-19: A Case-Control Study Publisher Pubmed



Moshfeghi S1 ; Khosravifard K1 ; Shirzadi K2 ; Makateb A2 ; Pourazizi M3 ; Kateb H4 ; Naderan M5 ; Abounoori M3
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Aja University of Medical Sciences, Besat Hospital, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Aja University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza Hospital, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Isfahan Eye Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Radiology, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Published:2023


Abstract

To compare the retinal vascular density (VD), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), and choroidal thickness (CHT) between patients infected with COVID-19 and healthy subjects using non-invasive optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT) technique. This case-control study was carried out on patients with COVID-19 and healthy controls. Patients’ data were acquired immediately after active infection and three months later. The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and a positive PCR test. VDs in superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP and DCP) and CHT and CVI were measured and compared between groups. A total of 160 eyes from 80 patients (55% female, mean age 51 ± 13 years) and 80 controls (55% female, mean age 49 ± 12 years) were enrolled. In acute phase infection, the mean foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area was 0.28 ± 0.06 mm2 and 0.22 ± 0.05 mm2 in patient and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). CVI was 61.06 ± 2.59 µm and 72.28 ± 3.84 µm in patients and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). After three months, the mean FAZ area was 0.28 ± 0.06 mm2 and 0.23 ± 0.05 mm2 in the patient and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). CVI was 60.93 ± 2.11 µm and 72.46 ± 3.80 µm in patients and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Subfoveal CHT was not significantly different between groups (P = 0.69). SCP and DCP VDs were significantly less in the patients’ group (P < 0.001). In the patients’ group, the VDs in the DCP of the whole images and parafoveal DCP (P < 0.001) were reduced significantly after three months in comparison to the acute phase, while the FAZ area, subfoveal CHT, and CVI were not significantly different. COVID-19 infection may be associated with acute and long-term changes of VDs in the retinal and choroidal vasculature without significant effect on the subfoveal CHT. © 2023
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Retinal Findings of Covid-19 Patients Using Ocular Coherence Tomography Angiography Two to Three Months After Infection: Ocular Appearance Recovered Covid-19 Patient, Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy (2022)
2. Automatic Choroid Vascularity Index Calculation in Optical Coherence Tomography Images With Low-Contrast Sclerochoroidal Junction Using Deep Learning, Photonics (2023)
3. Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis Following Covid-19 Hospitalization: Evidence From a Year-Long Observational Study; [Endophtalmie Fongique Endogene Suite a Une Hospitalisation Pour Covid-19 : Preuves D'une Etude Observationnelle D'un An], Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie (2023)
4. Nervous System Involvement in Covid-19: A Review of the Current Knowledge, Molecular Neurobiology (2021)
5. Macular Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion As the First Manifestation of Ocular Toxoplasmosis, Retinal Cases and Brief Reports (2013)
6. Topical Cyclosporine-A Versus Prednisolone for Herpetic Stromal Keratitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Acta Ophthalmologica (2019)
7. Scleritis in Iran, Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection (2025)
8. Comparison of Peripapillary and Macular Vascular Density in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma, and Normal Control Eyes, Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy (2022)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Farzan Kianersi (9)
Afsaneh Naderi Beni (8)
Other Related Docs
9. Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiographic Study in Children With a History of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Current Eye Research (2025)
10. Covid-19 and Dermatological Manifestations, Atlas of Dermatology, Dermatopathology and Venereology: Cutaneous Infectious and Neoplastic Conditions and Procedural Dermatology (2021)
11. Evaluation of Ganglion Cell-Layer Complex and Macular Vessel Density in Amblyopic Eyes With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery (2024)
12. Determination of Prevalence, Sensitivity and Specificity of Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2013)
13. Intravitreal Injections and Face Masks: Endophthalmitis Risk Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research (2023)
14. Risk Factors of Covid-19 Associated Mucormycosis in Iranian Patients: A Multicenter Study, BMC Infectious Diseases (2024)
15. Systemic Isotretinoin Therapy and Central Macular and Choroidal Thicknesses in Acne Vulgaris: Is There Any Association?, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology (2023)
16. Local Comparison of Cup-To-Disc Ratio in Right and Left Eyes Via Optical Coherence Tomography B-Scans of Optic Nerve Head, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2016)
17. Evaluation of Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2012)
18. Skin Manifestations As Potential Symptoms of Diffuse Vascular Injury in Critical Covid-19 Patients, Journal of Cutaneous Pathology (2021)
19. Relationship Between Macular Thickness and the Ratio of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor to Its Soluble Receptor 1 in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2012)
20. Peripapillary and Macular Choroidal Thickness in Both Eyes of Patients With Acute Unilateral Retrobulbar Optic Neuritis, Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology (2020)
21. Parapapillary Choroidal Microvascular Density in Acute Primary Angle-Closure and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study, British Journal of Ophthalmology (2023)
22. Microbial and Clinical Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients, the Divergent Causative Agents, Medical Mycology (2023)
23. Demographic Characteristics of the Patients With Cutaneous Vasculitis Due to Covid-19 Infection, Indian Journal of Dermatology (2022)
24. Baseline Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness As an Indicator for Bevacizumab Outcomes in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, Tehran University Medical Journal (2019)
25. Uveitis Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Survey of Ophthalmology (2025)
26. In Vivo Quantification of Bacterial Keratitis With Optical Coherence Tomography, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (2011)
27. Comparative Analysis of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (Octa) Results Between Behcet’S Disease Patients and a Healthy Control Group, Clinical Rheumatology (2024)
28. Acetazolamide and Bevacizumab Combination Therapy Versus Bevacizumab Monotherapy in Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion; [Traitement Combine Par Acetazolamide Et Bevacizumab Par Rapport a La Monotherapie Par Bevacizumab Dans L’Oedeme Maculaire Secondaire a Une Occlusion Veineuse Retinienne], Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie (2023)
29. Retinal Vascular Changes After Silicon Oil Removal in the Eye With Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment, International Journal of Retina and Vitreous (2024)
30. Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Fuchs Uveitis Syndrome: A Contralateral Eye Study, BMC Ophthalmology (2024)
31. Application of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in True and Pseudo-Optic Disc Swelling, Journal of Ophthalmology (2024)
32. The First Reported Case of Ocular Syphilis in an Iranian Patient, Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research (2023)
33. Watershed Infarction in Covid-19: The Necessity of Neuroimaging in Patients With Subtle Neurological Symptoms, Current Journal of Neurology (2023)
34. Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy and Covid-19 Vaccination: Case Report and Literature Review; [Neuroretinopathie Maculaire Aigue Et Vaccination Contre La Covid-19: Rapport De Cas Et Revue De La Litterature], Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie (2023)
35. Automated Evaluation of Parapapillary Choroidal Microvasculature in Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Open Angle Glaucoma, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (2020)
36. Prevalence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica in Isfahan, Iran, and a Review on Recent Reports and Literature, Current Journal of Neurology (2021)
37. Automated Evaluation of Parapapillary Choroidal Microvasculature in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma, American Journal of Ophthalmology (2021)
38. Cardiovascular Complications of Covid-19 Among Pregnant Women and Their Fetuses: A Systematic Review, Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022)
39. Acute Retinal Necrosis After Herpetic Encephalitis, Case Reports in Ophthalmology (2010)
40. Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis: A Case Series, Seminars in Ophthalmology (2015)
41. Post Covid-19 Infection Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (Nmosd): A Case Report-Based Systematic Review, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (2022)
42. Autoimmune Retinopathy Following Covid-19: A Case Report, Ocular Immunology and Inflammation (2024)
43. Cardioembolic Stroke, the Most Common Subtype of Stroke in Covid 19: A Single Center Experience From Isfahan, Iran, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2023)
44. Covid-19 Susceptibility and Outcomes Among Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (Nmosd): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (2022)
45. Prevalence of Herpetic Keratitis in Patients Referred to Feiz Ophthalmology Centre, Isfahan, Iran, Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Method, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2014)
46. Ganglion Cell Complex and Macular Thickness Layers in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Healthy Eyes: A Comparative Study, Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy (2021)
47. Corneal Cross-Linking for Keratoconus: Evaluation of the Retina and Choroid, European Journal of Ophthalmology (2022)
48. The Relationship Between Ct Severity Score and Capillary Blood Oxygen Saturation in Patients With Covid-19 Infection, Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine (2021)
49. Abrupt Bilateral Blindness As a Rare Post-Acute Demyelinating Consequence of Covid-19, eNeurologicalSci (2022)
50. Comparison of Indocyanine Green Angiography and Fluorescein Angiography for Imaging of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Patients As Candidates for Photodynamic Therapy; [Comparaison De L'angiographie Au Vert D'indocyanine Et De L'angiographie a La Fluoresceine Pour L'imagerie Des Patients Atteints De Chorioretinopathie Sereuse Centrale Candidats a La Therapie Photodynamique], Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie (2022)