Branch retinal artery occlusion with paracentral acute middle maculopathy related to a COVID-19 infection in a patient with Anosmia

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2024 May;34(3):NP57-NP60. doi: 10.1177/11206721231217129. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) due to branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) as a complication of COVID-19.

Methods: A case report evaluated through spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, and OCT angiography.

Results: A 55-year-old man complained of blurred vision in the right eye. He presented with anosmia and tested positive for COVID-19 one week before. Fundus examination revealed a superior temporal whitening of the retina, SD-OCT showed a hyperreflective band-like lesion on the nuclear layer consistent with PAMM.

Conclusion: COVID-19 infection involves inflammatory and thrombotic events. Even patients with just anosmia may have complications such as BRAO associated with PAMM.

Keywords: Arterial occlusive disease < RETINA; retina – medical therapies < RETINA; retinal degenerations associated with systemic disease < RETINA; retinal pathology / research < RETINA; techniques of retinal examination < RETINA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anosmia* / diagnosis
  • Anosmia* / etiology
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • Fluorescein Angiography*
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion* / diagnosis
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion* / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*
  • Visual Acuity