Optic neuropathy following COVID-19 vaccine

Abstract

ABSTRACT This case series describes four patients who presented with retinal and optic nerve vascular occlusions after administration of different COVID-19 vaccines. The first patient received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222; Oxford/AstraZeneca) and 42 days later developed central retinal artery occlusion. The second patient developed a painless visual impairment in the left eye and was diagnosed with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy 6 days after receiving the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine. The third patient presented with the same condition 22 days after receiving the third dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty®) vaccine. The fourth patient developed bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis after receiving the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. The purpose of this case series is to discuss the possibility of a causal association between ischemic eye alterations and COVID-19 virus vaccination. Long-term follow-up and evaluation of similar cases will help elucidate the degree of the association between the vaccine and ischemic ocular events.

Keywords

• COVID-19 vaccines
• COVID-19
• Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions
• Retinal artery occlusion
• Thromboembolism