Investigation of the Clinical Laboratory Indexes in COVID-19 Patients with Ocular Symptoms in Iran: A Single-Center Experience

Ocular symptoms are prevalent in coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, which may be related to clinical/paraclinical conditions. This study investigated the association between laboratory indexes and ocular symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

In this cross-sectional study, 108 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran, were enrolled. Ocular symptoms were investigated using standard ophthalmologic examinations. Routine laboratory investigation was done according to the standard management in patients with COVID-19 infection.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the serum levels of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with ocular discharge and exudate (P = 0.002, 0.045, 0.046, and 0.027, respectively), while the red blood cell (RBC) and albumin were lower in COVID-19 patients with ocular discharge and exudate (P = 0.029 and 0.027, respectively). The serum levels of creatine kinase (CPK) and iron (Fe) were significantly higher in non-photophobic COVID-19 patients than in photophobic patients (P =0.033 and 0.050, respectively). In contrast, the serum level of procalcitonin was lower than photophobic COVID-19 patients (P = 0.024). The serum level of phosphorus (P) was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with itchy eyes compared to COVID-19 patients without itchy eyes (P = 0.026).

The footprint of laboratory indexes was demonstrated in ocular symptoms of COVID-19 patients. The kidney biomarkers were correlated with ocular discharge and exudate, and electrolytes were associated with tear-related symptoms.