Paracentral acute middle maculopathy and acute macular neuroretinopathy following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

TLDR: COVID-19 has been reported in association with acute limb ischaemia, stroke and the so called “paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection” and PAMM and AMN have similar underlying pathophysiology.

Abstract: This report cases of two patients who presented with a new paracentral scotoma following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patient 1 is a 37-year-old Caucasian female in week 14 of an uncomplicated pregnancy presented with a 1-day history of abrupt onset, faintly colourful, left eye paracentral scotoma. This was 35 days following the onset of a febrile illness with cough and anosmia. SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab was not performed during the infection, but subsequently positive serology (IgG) has been confirmed. Past medical history included acephalgic visual migraine aura and right toxoplasma chorioretinitis. Examination showed normal visual acuity, no uveitis and fundoscopy was normal in the left eye. OCT changes correlated with the location of the scotoma. A focal area of hyper-reflective change in the inner and outer plexiform layers with inner nuclear layer volume loss was seen consistent with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). Bloods were normal, including ESR, CRP, lipids, glucose, ANA and anti-phospholipid antibodies. An electrocardiogram and carotid Doppler ultrasound were normal. Patient 2 is a 32-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 4-day history of abrupt onset, faintly colourful, right eye paracentral scotoma. This was 16 days following the onset of nasopharyngeal swab confirmed COVID-19. Past medical history included acephalgic visual migraine aura. Examination showed normal visual acuity, no uveitis and fundoscopy was normal. Changes on infrared reflectance (white arrow) and OCT correlated with the location of the scotomaA focal area of faint outer plexiform layer hyper-reflective change and disruption of the interdigitation zone were seen consistent with acute macular neuroretinopathy. These patients developed PAMM and AMN soon after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and possibly represent postinfectious complications.