Optical coherence tomography patterns as predictors of visual outcome in dengue-related maculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to characterize the presentations, long-term outcomes, and visual prognostic factors in dengue-related maculopathy of 41 patients with dengue fever and impaired vision from dengue-related maculopathy in a retrospective noninterventional and observational series.


METHODS
The medical records of patients with dengue-related maculopathy diagnosed over 18 months between July 2004 and December 2005 at The Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Communicable Disease Center, Singapore, were reviewed and followed up for 24 months. Visual acuity and symptoms (presence of scotoma on automated visual fields and Amsler grid) were correlated with optical coherence tomography evaluation.


RESULTS
Mean age was 28.7 years and there were more men (53.7%). The most common visual complaints were blurring of vision (51.2%) and central scotoma (34.1%). Most patients recovered best-corrected visual acuity >20/40. Optical coherence tomography showed 3 patterns of maculopathy: 1) diffuse retinal thickening; 2) cystoid macular edema; and 3) foveolitis. The visual outcome was independent of the extent of edema, but scotomata persisted longest in patients with foveolitis and shortest with those with diffuse retinal thickening.


CONCLUSIONS
Dengue-associated ocular inflammation is an emerging ophthalmic condition and often involves the posterior segment. Prognosis is variable. Patients usually regain good vision but may retain persistent scotomata even at 2 years despite clinical resolution of the disease. Optical coherence tomography patterns in dengue maculopathy are useful for characterization, monitoring, and prognostication of the visual defect.
Teoh
Stephen C
SC
The Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433. Stephen_Teoh@ttsh.com.sg
Chee
Caroline K
CK
Laude
Augustinus
A
Goh
Kong Y
KY
Barkham
Timothy
T
Ang
Brenda S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012607:Scotoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology