Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy in Dengue Fever: Short-term Prospectively Followed Up Case Series.

Abstract

The incidence of dengue fever (DF) increases every year. Macular complications of patients with DF may be more common than many ophthalmologists realize. During a DF outbreak in South China in 2014, we observed acute macular neuroretinopathy associated with DF. Among 9 patients (17 eyes) with maculopathy post-DF, 5 patients (55.6%) (9 eyes) manifesting acute macular neuroretinopathy were recruited from August 1, 2014, to September 30, 2014, with a 6-month ophthalmic follow-up. Infrared reflectance imaging demonstrated localized areas of hyporeflection in the macula. Spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning through these areas revealed hyperreflection in the photoreceptor layer and disruption of its normal reflective structures. Subsequent SD-OCT demonstrated that the hyperreflection of the photoreceptor layer regressed gradually, followed by thinning of the outer nuclear layer. The external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone became continuous; however, the interdigitation zone was not restored. The scotomas persisted in all 5 patients (9 eyes) by the last visit. All 5 patients (9 eyes) in this case series were complicated with classic dengue maculopathy signs, such as intraretinal hemorrhage and exudation, which were completely resolved during the follow-up. These data suggest that acute macular neuroretinopathy is a major manifestation of dengue maculopathy, with persistent scotomas through at least 6 months.