A rare case of bilateral tractional retinal detachment following snakebite

Abstract

A 13-year-old female presented with diminution of vision in both eyes for 3 months following snakebite. Best-corrected visual acuities were hand movement in both eyes. Fundoscopy showed vitreous hemorrhage, and B-scan ultrasonography revealed an underlying tractional retinal detachment (TRD) involving the macula in both eyes. Patient underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in conjunction with belt buckling, endolaser, and silicone oil tamponade in the left eye. At 6 weeks postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity of the left eye was noted to be 20/200 with settled TRD and attached retina. Bilateral proliferative retinopathy with TRD is a hitherto unreported complication of snake bite.

Venom Ophthalmia and Ocular Complications Caused by Snake Venom

“…Common symptoms are central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], retinal or vitreous hemorrhage [ 33 ], and macular infarction [ 33 ]. A rare case even reported that a 13-year-old boy was diagnosed with retinal detachment after snakebite [ 34 ]. Even after receiving immediate treatment for posterior complications, most patients claim their vision is not the same as it was.…”