The effects of COVID-19 infection on ophthalmologic findings in pregnant women: a prospective controlled observational study.

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic infection that may affect multiple organs through endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory mechanisms. Ocular structures with rich microvascular networks, such as the retina and optic nerve, may therefore be vulnerable. Although the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, COVID-19 remains endemic, and data regarding its ocular effects during pregnancy are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate potential changes in the optic nerve and retinal structures of pregnant women with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This prospective observational study included 80 pregnant women aged 18-40 years between 16 and 34 weeks of gestation. Participants were divided into a non-severe COVID-19-positive group (n = 32) and a control group without infection (n = 48). Women with pre-existing ocular or chronic systemic diseases were excluded. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, fundus examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, and macular thickness parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 31.6 ± 5.8 years. No statistically significant differences were observed between the study and control groups in any ophthalmological parameters. Similarly, infection occurring in the second or third trimester was not associated with significant changes.

CONCLUSION

Non-severe COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was not associated with measurable structural alterations in ocular microvascular structures as assessed by OCT.