Central retinal vein occlusion in a young healthy COVID-19 patient: A case report

Abstract

Purpose We detail a unique case of a healthy 33-year-old suspected COVID-19 patient who presented with unilateral Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, possibly as a complication of COVID-19. Observations A 33-year-old healthy male was referred to the emergency department due to blurred vision in his left eye for the past month, accompanied by flashes of light without any accompanying neurological symptoms. The patient reported a three-week period of fatigue, dry cough, and shortness of breath ended about 2 weeks prior to the ocular symptoms. He was not tested for COVID-19 at the time of his respiratory complaints. The clinical examination and the ancillary tests confirmed the diagnosis of a left eye Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. During admission, a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 from a nasopharyngeal swab was performed and was found to be negative, however, an IgG/IgM Rapid Test (Inzek International Trading, the Netherlands) was performed and was found to be IgM negative and IgG Positive for SARS-CoV-2, confirming recovery from COVID-19. Conclusions and importance To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of CRVO in association with COVID-19. As the literature on human ocular manifestations of COVID-19 is still sparse, our case emphasizes the need for further investigation of ocular complication associated with this novel disease.

Post discharge persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

“…Regarding thrombotic events and in accordance with our findings, other studies reported a prevalence of 0.5-2.5%[(27)(28)]. We reported one ocular thromboembolic event as it has been described elsewhere (29).…”

Central retinal vein occlusion in the setting of COVID-19 infection

“…Our patient did not have any significant medical history and infectious, inflammatory, and hypercoagulable studies were negative. There have only been a small number of cases of COVID-19associated CRVO in recent literature [4][5][6]. Our patient's positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 assay and subsequent visual symptoms support the possibility that the pro-thrombotic state created by COVID-19 contributed to the development of CRVO.…”

An Unusual Presentation of Pyelonephritis: Is it COVID-19 Related?

“…Although a similar event was diagnosed in our patient, no proven active SARS-COV-2 infection was established at the moment of the event. Interestingly, other case reports also described the end of COVID-19 symptoms 10-14 days prior to a retinal vein occlusion [16,17]. In addition, a case report of a COVID-19 related renal infarct by Wu, et al suggests a hypercoagulative state that may persist long after the resolution of COVID-19 [18].…”