Title | A case of unilateral optic disc edema after infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. |
Purpose | To investigate the link between optic disc edema and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by means of a case report and literature review. |
Methods | A 63-year-old male, known with an extensive history of vitreoretinal surgery, presented to the ophthalmology department with complaints of a weird feeling in the left eye. He suffered from COVID-19 during his stay in Haiti and he was admitted in the hospital for 10 days 5 weeks before. Clinical examination showed a stable visual acuity but unilateral optic disc edema in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography of the optic disc showed thickening of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography showed leakage of dye from the optic disc in the late phases. Further clinical examination was unremarkable. |
Results | The optic disc edema resolved spontaneously, resulting in mild pallor of the optic disc. Vision remained stable throughout the episode. Review of scientific literature repeatedly reports optic neuritis, uveitis and increased RFNL thickness as possible presentations of COVID-19. Recent articles also suggest a hyperinflammatory state, direct neuro-invasion of the central nervous system and post-infectious immune-mediated complications as mechanisms of neurological manifestations. |
Conclusion | A case of unilateral optic disc edema, possibly caused by COVID-19, is described. One should consider SARS-CoV-2 as a possible cause of neuro-ophthalmic manifestations during this COVID-19 pandemic. |
Conflict of interest | No |
Last name | SMEETS |
Initials | K |
Department | KU Leuven/UZ Leuven/Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg |
City | Leuven/Genk |
Last name | Nijs |
Initials | I |
Department | Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg |
City | Genk |
Last name | Deghislage |
Initials | C |
Department | Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg |
City | Genk |