A recent Turkish study has uncovered subtle but potentially concerning changes in corneal health following Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination. Researchers monitored 64 participants’ eyes before vaccination and two months after their second dose, discovering three key alterations: increased corneal thickness, reduced endothelial cell counts, and greater cell size variation.
While none of the participants experienced immediate vision problems, the findings suggest temporary stress on the corneal endothelium – the eye’s delicate inner layer responsible for maintaining clear vision. The most significant change was an 8% reduction in endothelial cells, though counts remained within normal ranges for healthy individuals.
Ophthalmologists emphasize these findings shouldn’t deter vaccination but suggest additional monitoring for those with pre-existing eye conditions or previous corneal surgeries. The research team used advanced imaging technology to detect these microscopic changes that wouldn’t appear in routine eye exams.
