Post-COVID Wernicke's presenting as bilateral vision loss.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• COVID-19 can lead to severe nutritional deficits and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting.
• These complications can precipitate neurological emergencies, including Wernicke's syndrome.
• Wernicke's syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, can manifest with ocular and neurological symptoms.

Observation:

• A 36-year-old presented with acute-onset bilateral blindness following a COVID-19 infection.
• Clinical presentation and MRI findings were consistent with Wernicke's syndrome.
• The patient experienced complete vision loss, described as no light perception in both eyes.

Findings:

• Diagnosis of Wernicke's syndrome was confirmed through MRI.
• High-dose intravenous thiamine supplementation led to a dramatic clinical improvement.
• The patient's vision was restored following prompt thiamine treatment.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare but severe neurological complication of COVID-19.
• Thiamine deficiency should be considered in patients with acute vision loss post-COVID-19, especially with a history of poor nutrition.
• Early diagnosis and treatment with thiamine are crucial for reversing vision loss and neurological deficits.