Symptomatic Retinal Microangiopathy in a Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Single Case Report

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause conjunctivitis in up to 31.6% of patients. Additionally, retinal findings compatible with retinal microvascular ischemia have also been associated with coronavirus disease in asymptomatic patients. We describe a case of bilateral retinal changes compatible with microangiopathy occurring during the late phase of COVID-19.

Case report: A 50-year-old man with bilateral pneumonia and positive polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 developed an arcuate visual field defect in his left eye. Funduscopy revealed multiple, bilateral cotton-wool spots without haemorraghes. OCT-angiography revealed multifocal areas of retinal microvascular ischemia in the superficial plexus, the largest of which corresponded to the arcuate scotoma observed in the automated perimetry.

Conclusion: Visual field defects due to retinal microangiopathy can occur during the late phase of COVID-19. Vascular changes observed in the retina may mimic what may be happening in other, less-accessible organs.

KEYWORDS:

• Communicable diseases
• Covid-19
• ophthalmology
• retina
• uveitis

Acknowlegment

This case was awarded 2^nd ePoster award at the EURETINA 2020 Virtual conference, 2-4 October 2020.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this letter.