Abstract
Objective Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children is associated with severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and can be mortal with the
involvement of multiple organ systems. However, long-term effects on all organs and
organ systems involvement are still unclear or even whether this condition may still
occur in which organs. This report aims to identify ocular findings in children with
MIS-C on the follow-up.
Methods This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Cases diagnosed with MIS-C between May
2020 and February 2021 in our hospital (e.g., cases aged 1 month–18 years old) were
included in the study. The same ophthalmologist followed up with the patients after
discharge. Patients underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations, including slit lamp
biomicroscopy and fundoscopy, best-corrected visual acuity, and Schirmer's 2 test.
Results Our study included 22 patients treated with the MIS-C. Twelve (54.5%) were girls,
and 10 (45.5%) were boys. Their mean age was 8.7 ± 4.9 years. Pathological ocular
findings were found in six (27.2%) patients in the follow-up. The most common finding
was punctate epitheliopathy in four (18.2%) patients. The cause of punctate epitheliopathy
was dry eye. All patients recovered with treatment.
Conclusion Our study is the first to evaluate ocular findings in MIS-C in the long term. Regardless
of the severity of the disease, the most common ocular finding in our study was punctate
epitheliopathy, that is, dry eye. According to our results, we think patients should
be followed up on pathological ocular findings after discharge.
Keywords
dry eye - multisystem inflammatory syndrome - ophthalmic examinations punctate epitheliopathy
- SARS-CoV-2
