Bilateral Uveitis in Rickettsial Disease

Thanuja G Pradeep, Sindhu Saty

Abstract

We report a case of bilateral uveitis in a 52-year-old male patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit with fever and skin rashes. He was diagnosed to have rickettsial fever and treated with antibiotics. He was referred to the ophthalmologist for red eye, which on examination revealed an exudative membrane over the iris in both eyes. The patient also had associated vitritis. The patient responded to topical and oral steroids but had sectoral iris atrophy both eyes and poor visual recovery. Ocular manifestations are rare in rickettsial disease and easily overlooked by the treating physician. Early referral of these cases helps in initiation of appropriate treatment that will reduce the visual morbidity in these individuals.

Relevant Publications in Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy