key: cord-0909638-28h21vx9
authors: Bialasiewicz, A. A.; Farah-Diab, M. S.; Mebarki, H. T.
title: Central retinal vein occlusion occurring immediately after 2nd dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
date: 2021-08-23
journal: Int Ophthalmol
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01971-2
sha: 091f2baeb39b28927a0e4c616c233ec3e263c4ff
doc_id: 909638
cord_uid: 28h21vx9

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Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and other thromboembolic events have been extensively documented after infections with SARS-Cov2 [1, 2] . We observed a 50-year-old healthy nonobese and nonsmoking patient with CRVO occurring immediately after the 2nd vaccination with an mRNA-based vaccine.

Immediately after the second COVID19 vaccination (BioNTech/Pfizer lot number EP6017 expiry 30/06/2021) on 20/03/2021, during the 15 min mandatory surveillance with monitoring of vital signs the patient experienced retrobulbar pain, red eye and vision reduction on his left eye. He was referred and e-consulted externally and prescribed moxifloxacin eye drops. At presentation on 11/04/2021, BSCVA was OU 1.0/0.5 due to a hemorrhagic CRVO with ischemic areas (Fig. 1a) . The fellow eye was unremarkable. The OCT showed a cystoid macular edema (central retinal thickness (CRT) 515my) (Fig. 1b) , mild papilledema (prominence 809my), the Zeiss-Humphrey VF30-2 an inferonasal coecoceal visual field defect (MD -5.43 dB) and the fluorescein angiography vascular staining and mild macular leakage. The patient was PCR negative for SARS-Cov2 and healthy except for atopic dermatitis on topical treatment. No history of myocardial infarction and stroke was known, blood pressure was 121/76 mmHg (11/04/2021) and the HbA1c 5.1% (11/04/2021). The thrombophilia panel and CBC including platelet count were unremarkable, and d-Dimer was not elevated (0.3 mg/l). Antithrombotic treatment of 100 mg/d low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was accompanied by monthly and ongoing aflibercept injections starting on 12/04/2021, which resulted in a fast decrease of the macular edema with recovery of vision to BSCVA 1.0/1.0 already after 3 days (CRT 319my) (Fig. 2a,b) . Anticoagulants (e.g., factor Xa inhibitor) used in COVID19-associated deep vein thrombosis were not administered.

A wide range of thromboembolic events after COVD19 vaccinations with adenovirus vector-based vaccines has been reported and has been associated with systemic inflammation, platelet and endothelial dysfunction [3, 4] , however, ophthalmic adverse events seem to be rare [5] . The CRVO immediately following the 2 nd vaccination with an mRNA-based vaccine in an otherwise healthy patient suggests that thromboembolic events may not only occur in vectorbased but also in mRNA-based vaccines. The pathophysiology and the role of atopy in this case are currently unknown, and causality may be revealed in future studies. In summary, CRVO as a manifestation of noninflammatory occlusive retinal vasculopathy may have to be added to the spectrum of ophthalmic complications after mRNA-based COVID19 vaccinations. Further observations are warranted, and e-consultations of symptomatic patients after vaccinations are discouraged.

COVID-19 and Eye: a review of ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19

Thrombotic complications of COVID-19

COVID-19 and the eye immunity: lesson learned from the past and possible new therapeutic insights

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurring shortly after the second dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Case Series Drug Analysis Print Name: COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca analysis

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.Funding None.