COVID-19 infection causes retinal damage through activation of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) pathway, creating a distinct condition researchers term 'coviretinopathy.' Animal model studies demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 directly triggers excessive VEGF production, leading to retinal blood vessel dysfunction and vision complications. This mechanistic insight represents a significant advance in understanding COVID-19's ocular effects beyond the widely reported conjunctivitis and dry eye symptoms. The VEGF pathway connection suggests existing anti-VEGF therapies used for diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration could potentially treat COVID-related eye damage. This finding may explain the persistent vision problems reported by some long COVID patients, offering a biological basis for symptoms previously attributed to general inflammation. However, the research relies on animal models, and human clinical validation remains necessary. The discovery also raises questions about whether COVID-19 accelerates age-related eye diseases in older adults, given VEGF's central role in retinal aging. For clinicians, this work provides the first targeted therapeutic pathway for addressing COVID-19's retinal complications, moving beyond supportive care to mechanism-based treatment approaches.