On the Quest for Ophthalmological Biomarkers for Long COVID: A Scoping Review
Source abstract
Abstract
COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has caused millions of cases and fatalities around the world. It is clearer and clearer how ex-COVID-19 patients endure neurological symptoms, such as headaches and cognitive impairment, in addition to respiratory problems. Long COVID refers to symptoms that continue after the acute phase, impacting millions of people and having severe socioeconomic consequences. The pathogenesis of neurological symptoms in long-term COVID is still unknown, making diagnosis and management difficult. The purpose of this review is to investigate the ophthalmological/neurological effects of prolonged COVID and the possibility of eye-tracking technology as an objective biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring. A scoping literature review was carried out, yielding 15 relevant studies. Several ophthalmological signals, such as saccadic movements and pupillary reflexes, were found to be significantly affected in patients with long COVID. These signals were measured using a variety of methods, including infrared cameras and eye-tracking systems. The study emphasises the need for more research to develop standardised biomarkers for long COVID diagnosis and monitoring. Understanding the ophthalmological impacts of long COVID can help develop novel tools for assessing and controlling this disorder.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Retinal and Optic Conditions · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Department of Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
Funding
UKRI Innovate UK grant · China Scholarship Council
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