Scientists in Turkey have raised fresh concern over Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine after they found subtle but measurable changes to the cornea.
They studied 64 people who took two doses of the vaccine. Corneal measurements were taken before the first shot and again 75 days after the second.
They discovered that the corneas had thickened slightly. Also, the inner layer—called the endothelium—had lost about 8% of its cell density.
These endothelial cells keep the cornea clear by removing excess water. When they reduce in number or lose their shape, the cornea can swell, blur vision, or worse.
The study was published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on eye health and disease patterns.
“Endothelial changes, if they last over time, may result in corneal swelling or disturbed vision, especially in sensitive individuals,” the report warned.
The average number of endothelial cells dropped from 2,597 to 2,378 per square millimetre.
The corneal cells also became more irregular. The number of healthy hexagonal-shaped cells declined from 50% to 48%, while the variation in cell sizes rose from 39 to 42%.
These are early signs of what doctors call “endothelial stress.” Though not yet causing vision problems, the authors urged close observation in those with fragile eye conditions.
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Specular microscopy—a tool that captures detailed images of the cornea’s cell layer—was used to check size, shape, and cell loss.
Additional eye tests ruled out other factors that could explain the changes.
“The endothelium should be closely monitored in those with a low endothelial count or who have had a corneal graft,” the researchers advised.
Doctors say patients with corneal transplant history, glaucoma, or other eye surgeries may need extra caution.
However, the scientists did not call for the vaccine to be stopped.
Rather, they say the effects need long-term tracking to know if the changes are temporary or permanent.
Their report adds to growing medical reviews of COVID-19 vaccines’ side effects on certain body systems.
Back in May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccine labels to reflect increased risks of myocarditis—heart inflammation—especially among young men.
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