Ocular Vascular Occlusion Following COVID-19 and Travel Vaccinations: A Systematic Review and Exploration of Immuno-Thrombotic Mechanisms

Abstract

Background: Ocular vascular occlusion is a rare, vision-threatening emergency. While typically associated with systemic vascular comorbidities, reports have emerged suggesting a temporal link to various vaccinations. This review aims to synthesize the evidence on ocular vascular occlusion following both COVID-19 and non-COVID travel vaccinations to characterize its clinical spectrum and explore shared pathophysiological underpinnings.

Methods: A systematic search adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest for studies published from January 1^st, 2013, to August 1^st, 2024. All study designs reporting ocular vascular occlusion temporally associated with COVID-19 or travel immunizations were included. Data on demographics, vaccine type, clinical presentation, and outcomes were extracted. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for case reports.

Results: From an initial 1,348 records, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing case reports, series, and large database analyses. These studies described ocular vascular occlusion in individuals aged 15 to 86 years. A significant temporal clustering was observed, with the majority of individual cases occurring within seven days post-vaccination. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was the most reported subtype. A large retrospective cohort study reported a more than two-fold increased hazard for retinal occlusion post-vaccination compared to unvaccinated cohorts (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.85-2.59, p<0.001). Both mRNA and adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines, as well as various travel vaccines including Zostavax, Yellow Fever, and Meningococcal B, were implicated.

Conclusion: This review characterizes a consistent temporal association between a diverse range of vaccines and subsequent ocular vascular occlusion, suggesting it is a rare but potential adverse event. The clustering of onset times and involvement of different vaccine platforms point towards a common underlying immuno-thrombotic mechanism. These findings highlight the need for clinical vigilance for acute visual changes post-vaccination, while underscoring that the absolute risk remains exceedingly low compared to the clear benefits of vaccination.