Acute Retinal Necrosis as a presenting ophthalmic manifestation in COVID 19 recovered patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Infection by the SARS-CoV2 virus results in an immune dysregulated state which can predispose to reactivation of Herpes viruses. This report describes the development of Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) in two patients who had recovered from SARS-CoV2 infection.

Methods: Observational report of two consecutive patients who presented with ARN after having recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results: Case 1 was a 5-year-old child with extensive peripheral necrotizing retinitis. Case 2 was a 61-year-old gentlemen with bilateral retinal detachment with sieve-like breaks and optic atrophy. Both patients had recovered from SARS- Cov-2 infection 1 month ago. PCR from vitreous sample of both patients was positive for Herpes simplex virus. Case 1 was treated with oral valacyclovir. Case 2 underwent surgery in both eyes for retinal detachment

Conclusion: Immune dysregulation after COVID-19 infection can result in reactivation of herpesvirus and may lead to development of ARN

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• immune dysregulation
• acute retinal necrosis (ARN)
• herpes virus
• reactivation

Declaration of interest

All authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation (MT), Hyderabad, India.The funders had no role in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.