Ophthalmic side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

ABSTRACT Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has been a rapidly emerging global health concern since December 2019. Unprecedented efforts have been made to produce vaccines, which have proven to be successful. Areas covered This is a narrative review of the known ocular side effects related to the COVID-19 vaccines. Relevant literature was identified up to January 2022. Herein, reports of several side effects after immunization with COVID-19 vaccines, such as corneal graft rejection, ocular herpes simplex virus reactivation, scleritis, anterior and intermediate uveitis, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome, acute zonal occult outer retinopathy, panuveitis, multifocal choroiditis, toxoplasma retinochoroiditis, central serous retinopathy, branch/central retinal vein occlusion, paracentral acute middle maculopathy, arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, third nerve palsy, superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis, and Tolosa–Hunt syndrome, are reviewed and presented. Expert opinion Our knowledge regarding vaccination-related adverse events during the COVID-19 pandemic is growing. Ocular side effects are very rare overall and can often be treatable and preventable. Vaccinations remain strongly recommended by experts due to their efficacy in decreasing the disease burden. It is of note that establishing a casual relationship between vaccines and side effects is not possible yet and the possibility of coincidence should be considered.