Hemi-retinal vein occlusion in a young patient with COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of a hemi-retinal vein occlusion (HRVO) in the setting of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Observations: A 32-year-old healthy male presented with a paracentral scotoma, retinal hemorrhages, and dilated and tortuous retinal vessels inferiorly in the right eye. He was diagnosed with HRVO in the setting of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions and importance: Venous thromboembolic complications and coagulation abnormalities have been widely reported in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We highlight this case to raise awareness that a retinal vein occlusion in an otherwise healthy, young patient may be a potential manifestation of the thromboinflammatory state associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords

• Retinal vein occlusion
• SARS
• COVID-19
• Thromboembolism
• Hypercoagulability
• Retina