Bilateral primary optic neuropathy as the presenting manifestation of tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Vision impairment is one of the devastating complications of central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS TB). Optic atrophy is a sequelae of various forms of CNS TB which, ultimately, is responsible for vision impairment. It is usually the secondary optic atrophy which occurs in CNS TB. In this case report, we present the story of an immunocompetent woman presenting as bilateral visual loss. She was found to have primary optic atrophy. Neuroimaging revealed features of chronic meningitis. Polymerase chain reaction test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in cerebrospinal fluid. Although secondary optic atrophy is common in the CNS TB, as a complication of meningitis, primary optic atrophy per se is infrequently reported.