A Case of Atypical Unilateral Optic Neuritis Following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

We report a case of atypical unilateral optic neuritis after receiving the BNT162b2 mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.

An 86-year-old man complained of blurred vision and decreased visual acuity in his right eye 8 days after receiving the second BNT162b2 mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and was referred to our hospital. He also had pain with eye movement. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye was 20/200 and critical flicker frequency dropped to 16 Hz. Relative afferent pupillary defect was positive and central scotomas were observed on visual field analysis. Fundus examination and SD-OCT revealed optic disc swelling and apparent thickening of the retinal nerve fiber layer around the optic disc in the right eye. Although either an increase in CRP or ESR on laboratory tests, demyelinating lesion on MRI, or positive of anti-MOG antibodies or anti-AQP4 antibodies were not observed, fluorescein angiography presented only hyperfluorescence of the optic disc in the right eye, but there were no findings such as papillary deficiency and choroidal delay that would suggest ischemic optic neuropathy. We diagnosed atypical optic neuritis developed after the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccination and initiated oral corticosteroid therapy. One month later, the optic disc swelling disappeared and BCVA improved to 20/100; however, the central scotoma remained and no further improvement in visual function OD was obtained.

An atypical acute idiopathic optic neuritis can occur after receiving the second vaccination with BNT162b2, which may present a limited response to corticosteroid therapy.