Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) and COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

A woman in her 50s presented with diminution of vision in her left eye (OS) 4 days after COVISHIELDTMvaccination. She had been diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) of right eye (OD) 8 months earlier. The present episode revealed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/50 in OD and 20/20 in OS with grade 1 relative afferent pupillary defect. Fundus evaluation showed pale disc in OD and temporal disc oedema in OS. Humphrey’s visual field analysis showed incomplete inferior altitudinal defect in OD and a centro-caecal scotoma in OS. Systemic investigations were normal. OS was diagnosed with NA-AION. She was started on oral aspirin 75 mg. At 1-month follow-up, disc oedema of OS had resolved with BCVA maintaining at 20/20. The patient was lost to follow-up later. The relationship between the vaccine and the ocular event is temporal with no causal association.