Bilateral acute Iris transillumination after COVID-19 pneumonia

To report the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of a case of bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) developed after COVID-19 pneumonia.

Case report.

A 66-year-old male patient with COVID-19 pneumonia received systemic treatments of favipiravir, prednisolone, moxifloxacin and piperacillin-tazobactam during hospitalization. The patient applied to our clinic with the complaint of blurred vision 20 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.3 in the right eye and 0.5 in the left eye. In the anterior segment examination; ciliary injection, intense pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber, pigment deposits on the lens and iris, 2-3 + cells in the anterior chamber, posterior synechia, and 360 degrees diffuse iris transillumination were observed in both eyes. The pupillary response to light was weak. Bilateral fundus examination were normal. In the anterior chamber sample; HSV, VZV, CMV and Toxoplasma PCR were negative. Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) diagnosed in the patient and topical 0.1% dexamethasone and topical 1% cyclopentolate were started. In the follow-up, visual acuity increased 1.0 in both eyes, there were no cells in the anterior chamber, and the pigment dispersion was still continuing despite a decrease.

BAIT, which can usually be seen after upper respiratory tract infections, can also be seen after covid 19 pneumonia and be kept in mind as a possible eye involvement in patients with COVID-19 infection.