Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
13:06
Viral Tracing of Genetically Defined Neural Circuitry
Published on: October 17, 2012
18.6K
Bilateral Retinal and Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Infarction in an Adolescent With Influenza.
Prayerna Uppal1, William P Madigan2, Jonathan Murnick3
1The School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Pediatric Neurology
|June 11, 2023
Summary
Influenza can cause vision loss from retinal and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) infarctions. This rare complication can lead to persistent, severe visual impairment, highlighting the need for prompt recognition and patient counseling.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Influenza is a common viral respiratory illness.
- Ocular complications of influenza are rare but can be severe.
- Bilateral vision loss is an uncommon presentation of influenza.
Observation:
- A case of a 13-year-old female experiencing bilateral vision loss following influenza infection.
- The vision loss was attributed to infarctions in the retina and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN).
- Near-total vision loss persisted in the left eye 3.5 years post-infection.
Findings:
- This represents the second reported case of bilateral retinal and LGN infarctions associated with influenza.
- The underlying mechanism causing these vascular events in influenza remains unclear.
- Visual recovery in affected individuals may be limited.
Implications:
- Highlights a rare but serious neurological complication of influenza affecting vision.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering influenza as a potential cause of sudden bilateral vision loss.
- Underscores the need for early diagnosis and appropriate counseling regarding potential long-term visual deficits.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:27Influenza
Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...