Abstract :
Introduction: India has witnessed severe complications after the second wave of global covid 19 pandemic. The new covid virus variant is so much lethal that it causes severe immunodepression in the covid survivors, and makes them prone to the opportunistic and rare mucormycosis infection.
Objective: To see the spectrum of ocular manifestations in the patients of post Covid 19 mucormycosis.
Materials and Methods: This was an observational study, carried out at tertiary care centre in North - West Rajasthan. Patients of mucormycosis during second wave of covid 19 pandemic in the month of April and May were included in the study. covid was diagnosed either by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) / high resolution computed tomography HRCT. Routine blood investigation, contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) of paranasal sinuses, orbit and brain was done. Pottasium hydroxide (KOH) mount of nasal swab/biopsy was done for confirmation. Thorough ocular examination was done according to the preformed proforma.
Result: Out of 61 patients of mucormycosis, 47 patients had ocular involvement varying from common symptoms like lid edema, chemosis, proptosis to sight threatening central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), Orbital Apex Syndrome and Panophthalmitis. A rare presentation of corneal ulcer and corneal eschar was also seen.
Conclusion: Rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis is a vision and life threatening opportunistic infection. A high index of clinical suspicion and early diagnosis with multi-disciplinary approach for the treatment can save the life of the patient.
Keyword :
Mucormycosis, Covid 19, Immunosupression, Ocular manifestation