Optic neuritis post-COVID-19 infection. A case report with meta-analysis

Abstract

Background In December 2019, a global pandemic of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has invaded entire the world. The virus associated with the COVID-19 infections is SARS-CoV-2; the infections are mainly pulmonary manifesting as severe respiratory complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, there are some extra-pulmonary manifestations that are reported to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 from the published literature. We aim to report a case manifested as post-COVID-19 optic neuritis, in addition to make a quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) for the published similar case reports around the world. Methods We followed CARE guidelines for case reports. Also, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Case presentation: A 32-year-old male patient with no previous relevant medical history, presented to the ophthalmology clinic in a tertiary hospital. He complained of a sudden drop of vision in his left eye, throbbing left sided headaches, central scotoma, color depth affection, elevated intra-ocular pressure; two weeks post-COVID-19 infection. Results Post-COVID optic neuritis is a possible neurological complication of the novel coronavirus infection. It was shown that females were more affected by optic neuritis and retinal complications, the left eye is more liable to drop of visual acuity post-COVID-19 infection; while there was no significant difference between both eyes regarding accompanied vision loss or blindness. Conclusions Optic neuritis either unilateral or bilateral could be one of the possible viral manifestations after COVID-19 infection.

Covid-19 induced optic neuritis – A case report

“…Azab, Mohammed A et al reported a post-COVID-19 case of optic neuritis and the first metaanalysis of published case reports in July 2021. 6 Covid -19 related optic neuritis can be unilateral or bilateral. Optic Neuritis may be the only complication of Covid-19 infection 6 or sometimes associated with pan uveitis and retinitis.…”

“…6 Covid -19 related optic neuritis can be unilateral or bilateral. Optic Neuritis may be the only complication of Covid-19 infection 6 or sometimes associated with pan uveitis and retinitis. 7 In some patients, Optic Neuritis was a part of multifocal involvement of the Central Nervous System, i.e., Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis.…”

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

“…A meta-analysis on post-COVID-19 optic neuritis revealed a female preponderance, with preference of left eye and no significant correlation between recovery and treatment. [ 11 ] However, there have been no reported cases to the best of our knowledge that describe bilateral retrobulbar neuritis post COVID-19 without any triggering factor and with prompt recovery on initiation of steroids. Thus, we report this case for its rarity.…”

Podcast on B Cell-Targeting Therapies and Other Multiple Sclerosis Concerns During COVID-19

“…We do know that illnesses like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis [ 25 ], optic neuritis [ 26 ], neuromyelitis optica (NMO), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) [ 27 ], transverse myelitis [ 28 ], that all of these, which can look like MS, have been reported in the face of acute COVID-19.…”