A Review on Novel Corona Virus SARS-CoV-2 and its Ocular Manifestations

Abstract

A novel coronavirus (nCoV) pandemic named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019, spread in almost all continents, countries, territories across the world and became a threat to human population. Some reports of ocular infections along with respiratory infection in the patients of COVID-19 were also reported during this pandemic. The ocular manifestation of this virus has not completely been established yet; hence more research is needed to confirm the association of SARS-CoV-2 with ocular infections. However few reports have already been published about the association of corona virus infections in various animals. Clinical symptoms such as conjunctivitis, retinitis, and anterior uveitis are documented in feline and murine models, which on diagnosis were proved due to the corona virus infections. In this review article, some evidences of the association of SARS-CoV-2 with ophthalmic infections in the current pandemic and some published reports of corona virus infections in some animals has been briefly highlighted. Simultaneously we have tried to explain briefly about some research ideas that may establish the ocular association of this virus. We have also tried to suggest some new visitor’s policies in ophthalmic settings and some preventive measures those can be obeyed by an Ophthalmologist and other associated staffs during consultation to prevent themselves and to break spread of infections. We hope that, this article will inspire some researchers and Ophthalmologists to establish the exact pathophysiology behind the SARS-CoV-2 infections in ocular system.