POST-COVID-19 VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

SARS-CoV-2 infection is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder affecting not only the respiratory system but also neural, vascular, and sensory pathways. Among post-infectious complications, visual impairments have gained attention due to their multifactorial origins. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying visual dysfunctions following COVID-19, emphasizing direct viral effects, immune-mediated inflammation, vascular alterations, and hypoxia. Clinical manifestations, including retinal abnormalities, optic neuritis, and central visual pathway dysfunction, are discussed, alongside implications for diagnosis and monitoring.