Bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis with rickettsial retinitis

To describe a case of bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis and rickettsial retinitis complicated with neovascularization with tear biomarker analysis.

A retrospective case report.

A 16-year-old male presented with bilateral retinal vasculitis and retinitis in both eyes with inferotemporal quadrant neovascularization in the right eye. Multimodal imaging revealed the presence of active inflammation in both eyes. Weil Felix test was positive with raised ACE levels. This patient was treated with local and systemic steroids, doxycycline, and laser photocoagulation followed by oral methotrexate therapy which resulted in clinical resolution with recovery of visual acuity. Tear biomarker analysis showed raised sICAM-1 and MMP-9 levels in both eyes which significantly reduced following treatment.

Ocular sarcoidosis with rickettsial infection is a rare association. Tear biomarkers correlated well with clinical and imaging manifestations. High index of suspicion and aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy can help control inflammation and restore good vision.