Uveal effusion syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination

To report a rare case of uveal effusion syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination.

A 71-year-old Asian man presented to his ophthalmologist with blurred vision and noticing distorted lines in his left eye two weeks after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Examination revealed choroidal detachment and he was advised systemic corticosteroids. The symptoms were ignored and the second vaccine dose was taken. After five months, he presented to our clinic with persistent visual complaints. He also had a history of COVID-19 infection three months prior to vaccination. Ocular examination revealed a quiet anterior chamber with annular choroidal detachment consistent with the diagnosis of Type 3 uveal effusion syndrome. B-scan ultrasonography revealed increased choroidal thickness with detachment. Optical coherence tomography showed subretinal fluid with retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal folds. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed all around supraciliary effusion in the left eye. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil which resulted in complete resolution of uveal effusion and improvement in visual acuity.

Uveal effusion syndrome is a rare ocular disease, however it may manifest following COVID-19 vaccination. Our case highlights the importance of a complete ophthalmic examination in patients with ocular symptoms after vaccination.