Turkish researchers have identified temporary corneal changes in patients receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new study published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology. The most notable finding was an average loss of 219 endothelial cells per square millimeter – the irreplaceable cells that maintain corneal clarity.
Dr. Aylin Kilic, lead researcher, explains: “We observed the cornea responding to vaccination similarly to how it reacts to minor illness or inflammation. For most people, these changes are insignificant, but patients with Fuchs’ dystrophy or corneal transplants should discuss monitoring with their eye doctor.”
The study utilized specular microscopy and corneal topography – specialized imaging tools that reveal cellular-level changes invisible to standard eye charts. While the corneal thickness increased by about 2%, researchers note this falls within normal fluctuation ranges seen with minor infections.
