Central retinal artery occlusion as an ophthalmic complication after snakebite

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Toxicology
• Herpetology

Background:

• Snakebites cause significant systemic toxicity, including hematotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and vasculotoxicity.
• Ophthalmological manifestations following snakebites are uncommon but can be severe.
• Viperidae family snakebites are associated with specific ocular complications such as macular infarction and glaucoma.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old patient presented with decreased vision in the left eye.
• The vision loss occurred weeks after a snakebite from Bothrops atrox on the left lower limb.
• Ophthalmological examination revealed abnormalities consistent with central retinal artery occlusion.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in the left eye.
• Neuro-ophthalmological and retinal tests confirmed the diagnosis of CRAO.
• This represents an extremely rare ocular complication of snakebite.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for delayed and rare ophthalmological complications from snakebites.
• Awareness of such rare presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of vision-threatening conditions post-snakebite.
• Further research into the mechanisms of snake venom-induced retinal vascular events is warranted.