Journal publication
Ocular Changes Following Different Types Of COVID-19 Vaccines - A Literature Review
Abstract
OBJECTIVE –
Objective of this review was to analyze ocular effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination,
focusing on their clinical features, management, and outcomes, while categorizing
manifestations by anatomical region, comparing across vaccine types, and identifying gaps for
future research.
METHODS –
In this narrative review, the reported ocular changes after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed
using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Medline using keywords such as ‘COVID-19
vaccine’, ‘ocular manifestations’, ‘adverse effects post-vaccination’, ‘adnexa’, ‘manifestations in
the posterior segment’, ‘mRNA vaccine’, ‘viral vector vaccine’, and ‘inactivated coronavirus
vaccine’. Peer-reviewed articles published since 2020 were included, while non-English, non-
peer-reviewed sources and insufficient case reports were excluded. A total of 31 studies met
inclusion criteria out of the 51 case studies and publications that were analyzed. Data on vaccine
type, ocular effects, demographics, symptom onset, management, and outcomes were extracted,
categorized by anatomical region and vaccine type, and summarized descriptively.
RESULTS –
The most frequently reported ocular manifestation across vaccine types was anterior uveitis,
particularly with Pfizer (BNT162b2), AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1nCoV-19), and Sinopharm
(BBIBP-CorV). Other notable findings included acute macular neuroretinopathy, Vogt-
Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Distinct
associations were noted, such as acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) with Moderna
and hemorrhagic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with Pfizer. Most cases were reported to
be managed successfully with standard therapies and had favorable outcomes.
CONCLUSION –
Ocular complications after COVID-19 vaccination are rare but clinically relevant, with anterior
uveitis being most common and posterior segment or vascular events less frequent yet
significant. Early recognition and management are essential, and further large-scale, region-
specific studies are needed to strengthen evidence and guide patient care.
Objective of this review was to analyze ocular effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination,
focusing on their clinical features, management, and outcomes, while categorizing
manifestations by anatomical region, comparing across vaccine types, and identifying gaps for
future research.
METHODS –
In this narrative review, the reported ocular changes after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed
using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Medline using keywords such as ‘COVID-19
vaccine’, ‘ocular manifestations’, ‘adverse effects post-vaccination’, ‘adnexa’, ‘manifestations in
the posterior segment’, ‘mRNA vaccine’, ‘viral vector vaccine’, and ‘inactivated coronavirus
vaccine’. Peer-reviewed articles published since 2020 were included, while non-English, non-
peer-reviewed sources and insufficient case reports were excluded. A total of 31 studies met
inclusion criteria out of the 51 case studies and publications that were analyzed. Data on vaccine
type, ocular effects, demographics, symptom onset, management, and outcomes were extracted,
categorized by anatomical region and vaccine type, and summarized descriptively.
RESULTS –
The most frequently reported ocular manifestation across vaccine types was anterior uveitis,
particularly with Pfizer (BNT162b2), AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1nCoV-19), and Sinopharm
(BBIBP-CorV). Other notable findings included acute macular neuroretinopathy, Vogt-
Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Distinct
associations were noted, such as acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) with Moderna
and hemorrhagic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with Pfizer. Most cases were reported to
be managed successfully with standard therapies and had favorable outcomes.
CONCLUSION –
Ocular complications after COVID-19 vaccination are rare but clinically relevant, with anterior
uveitis being most common and posterior segment or vascular events less frequent yet
significant. Early recognition and management are essential, and further large-scale, region-
specific studies are needed to strengthen evidence and guide patient care.
Research topic
Ocular Changes Following Different Types Of COVID-19 Vaccines - A Literature Review