Bilateral acute angle closure attack precipitated with dengue fever

Abstract

Dengue is known to cause varied ocular problems from mild-to-severe sight threatening. We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with bilateral shallow anterior chamber and acute angle closure attack precipitated during the convalescent phase of dengue infection. She arrived at the emergency department at midnight with a history of vomiting, headache, weakness, and pain in the left eye (LE). Her diagnosis of dengue fever was supported by specific serological testing. On ocular examination, the anterior chamber of both eyes was noticeably shallow and her LE felt stony hard on digital palpation. Intravenous mannitol 300 mL over 45 min were given stat followed by topical medications. In the morning, intraocular pressure measured was 10 mmHg (right eye [RE]) and 26 mmHg (LE). After thorough examination, she was diagnosed with occludable angle in RE and angle closure in LE after gonioscopy. Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser peripheral iridotomy was done in both eyes. She was relieved of symptoms. The varied spectrum of possible ocular symptoms should prompt the ophthalmologist to suspect the potential involvement of eye in dengue fever. Detailed history taking is of utmost importance in early diagnosis of some rare presentation of dengue-related ophthalmic involvement. Increased awareness of dengue-related ophthalmic complications among clinicians involved in the care of patients with dengue would facilitate prompt ophthalmologic assessment and emergency medical care.