Pulmonary tuberculosis associated retinal vasculitis presenting as xanthopsia

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2011 Apr;19(2):121-3. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2010.530734.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a patient presenting with unilateral xanthopsia who was diagnosed as having retinal vasculitis with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Design: A case report.

Methods: A 20-year-old man presented with xanthopsia in the right eye. Fundus examination revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages, vascular sheathing, and a yellowish retina.

Results: He was diagnosed as having retinal phlebitis with pulmonary tuberculosis by chest x-ray and computerized tomography scans and treated with anti-tuberculosis medications. After treatment, he described clearance of xanthopsia, and fundus examination also showed normal coloration.

Conclusions: Xanthopsia may be a sign of retinal vasculitis associated with tuberculosis. Ophthalmologists should suspect retinal vasculitis when patient complains of xanthopsia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Color Vision Defects / etiology*
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Retinal Vasculitis / complications*
  • Retinal Vasculitis / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vasculitis / microbiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* / drug therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents