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Published on: July 14, 2018
Branch retinal artery occlusion in a patient with COVID-19 infection: A case report
Zhijian Jiang1, Huiying Ji2, Hui Zhang1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China.
Insights
A COVID-19 infection caused branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in a 76-year-old man. Treatment with anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant therapies improved his vision, though some visual field defects persisted.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) is a serious condition affecting vision.
- COVID-19 has been linked to various vascular and inflammatory complications.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old male patient presented with BRAO in his left eye affecting three arteries.
- The patient had a history of hypertension and atherosclerosis, but hypertension was well-controlled.
Findings:
- The BRAO was suspected to be linked to COVID-19 due to elevated cytokines and coagulation factors.
- Following anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and conservative therapy for 25 days, biomarkers normalized, and vision improved.
- Persistent visual field defects were likely due to residual low oxygen saturation.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential link between COVID-19 and BRAO.
- Prompt treatment involving anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant measures can lead to visual recovery.
- Understanding COVID-19's impact on vascular health is crucial for ophthalmologists and infectious disease specialists.
Abstract:
We report here, a case of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in the left eye of a 76-year-old man that involved three arteries which was considered to be related to a COVID-19 infection due to high levels of blood cytokines and coagulation factors. Although the patient had hypertension and atherosclerosis, his hypertension had been well controlled for the past five years by regular antihypertensive medication. Twenty-five days after starting treatment with anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and conservative therapy, the patient's biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation returned to normal and his vision improved. However, some visual field defects remained and were probably a consequence of low oxygen saturation.
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