Acute bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis - An atypical sequela of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its ophthalmic manifestations have been variably portrayed. We report a case of a 56-year-old female presenting with sudden-onset vision loss associated with painful extraocular muscle movements in both eyes following COVID-19. Visual acuity was counting fingers...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dipika Sainath, Anujeet Paul, Srikanth Krishnagopal, Ashok Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2021;volume=69;issue=12;spage=3761;epage=3764;aulast=Sainath
Description
Summary:Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its ophthalmic manifestations have been variably portrayed. We report a case of a 56-year-old female presenting with sudden-onset vision loss associated with painful extraocular muscle movements in both eyes following COVID-19. Visual acuity was counting fingers close to face. Color perception tested was inaccurate. Ocular examination revealed sluggishly reacting pupils and an otherwise unremarkable fundus picture in both eyes, giving us an impression of bilateral retrobulbar neuritis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbit were unremarkable, while blood investigations revealed nothing suggestive. The patient dramatically improved with steroid therapy with full visual recovery and a color vision defect. This presentation of bilateral retrobulbar neuritis as a sequela of COVID-19 is presented for its rarity.
ISSN:0301-4738
1998-3689