Lower Eyelid Complication After Blepharoplasty and COVID-19 Vaccination

Background Cutaneous reactions after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have been reported but are not well characterized. Objective To evaluate morphology and timing of cutaneous reactions after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Methods A provider-facing registry-based study collected cases of cutaneous manifestations after COVID-19 vaccination. Results From December 2020-February 2021, we recorded 414 cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna (83%) and Pfizer (17%). Delayed large local reactions were most common, followed by local injection site reactions, urticarial eruptions, and morbilliform eruptions. Forty-three percent of patients with first dose reactions experienced second dose recurrence. Limitations Registry analysis does not measure incidence. Morphologic misclassification is possible. Conclusion We report a spectrum of cutaneous reactions after COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Most patients with first dose reactions did not develop a second dose reaction, and no patients in the registry developed serious adverse events after the first or second dose. These data provide reassurance to patients and providers.

Abstract There is growing evidence that not only the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) but also the COVID‐19 vaccines can cause a variety of skin reactions. In this review article, we provide a brief overview on cutaneous findings that have been observed since the emerging mass COVID‐19 vaccination campaigns all over the world. Unspecific injection‐site reactions very early occurring after the vaccination are most frequent. Type I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. urticaria, angio‐oedema and anaphylaxis) likely due to allergy to ingredients may rarely occur but can be severe. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions may be observed, including delayed large local skin lesions (“COVID arm”), inflammatory reactions in dermal filler or previous radiation sites or even old BCG scars, and more commonly morbilliform and erythema multiforme‐like rashes. Autoimmune‐mediated skin findings after COVID‐19 vaccination include leucocytoclastic vasculitis, lupus erythematosus and immune thrombocytopenia. Functional angiopathies (chilblain‐like lesions, erythromelalgia) may also be observed. Pityriasis rosea‐like rashes and reactivation of herpes zoster have also been reported after COVID‐19 vaccination. In conclusion, there are numerous cutaneous reaction patterns that may occur following COVID‐19 vaccination, whereby many of these skin findings are of immunological/autoimmunological nature. Importantly, molecular mimicry exists between SARS‐CoV‐2 (e.g. the spike‐protein sequences used to design the vaccines) and human components and may thus explain some COVID‐19 pathologies as well as adverse skin reactions to COVID‐19 vaccinations.

Vaccination efforts as a mitigation strategy in the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are fully underway. A vital component of understanding the optimal clinical use of these vaccines is a thorough investigation of adverse events following vaccination. To date, some limited reports and reviews have discussed ocular adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination, but a systematic review detailing these reports with manifestations and clinical courses as well as proposed mechanisms has yet to be published. This comprehensive review one-year into vaccination efforts against COVID-19 is meant to furnish sound understanding for ophthalmologists and primary care physicians based on the existing body of clinical data. We discuss manifestations categorized into one of the following: eyelid, orbit, uveitis, retina, vascular, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular motility disorders, and other.