Researchers have identified a possible link between COVID-19 and abnormal findings of the eyeball.
Nodules at the back of the eye were discovered in some patients via MRI, Healthline reports.
The study, published in the journal Radiology, involved 129 French COVID-19 patients. Nine of them turned out to have the nodules.
All but one of the patients with nodules had been in the ICU due to the coronavirus, according to Healthline.
The investigators believe the abnormalities “could be related to inflammation triggered by the virus and inadequate drainage of the veins around the eyes,” Healthline reports. The poor drainage would be due to lying prone for extended periods.
Dr. Augustin Lecler, the study’s lead author, told Health.com the findings were a surprise.
“Rapidly, we found these intriguing nodules of the posterior pole of the globe which were visible only in the most severe patients: those placed in the prone position, intubated on high-flow supplemental oxygen, and sedated,” he was quoted saying.
The long-term effects of the nodules have not yet been determined. And Health.com notes that there’s no proof yet that the nodules were caused by COVID-19.
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