Case Report: Acute Vision Loss in a Young Returning Traveler with Dengue Fever

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Nov;103(5):2026-2028. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0562.

Abstract

Ocular complications are rare in patients with dengue fever, but may cause permanent loss of vision. We present the case of a 29-year-old German woman who developed severe acute vision loss because of dengue-associated maculopathy after traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia. Initially, the optical coherence tomography showed detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, a central shift in the retinal pigmentation and intraretinal cysts. The patient was hospitalized and treated with a short course of intravenous prednisolone. Vision improved, and the patient showed full recovery at 9 months after the onset. This case highlights the importance of awareness and adequate management for ocular involvement in patients with dengue fever, including travelers.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cambodia
  • Dengue / complications
  • Dengue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dengue / parasitology
  • Dengue / pathology
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Retina / diagnostic imaging
  • Retina / parasitology
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retinal Diseases / complications
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retinal Diseases / parasitology
  • Retinal Diseases / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Travel
  • Vietnam