Ophthalmologic aspects of chikungunya infection

Travel Med Infect Dis. 2016 Sep-Oct;14(5):451-457. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.05.008. Epub 2016 May 26.

Abstract

Chikungunya fever, a viral disease epidemic in some parts of the world is newly introduced in the Americas. This is of considerable international concern, with a growing incidence owing to developing urbanization, tourism, and trade. Ocular manifestations of chikungunya fever are not frequent, but of great relevance. Common manifestations include conjunctivitis, optic neuritis, iridocyclitis, episcleritis, retinitis and uveitis. Diagnostic and monitoring investigations would include optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, visual field analysis, and electrophysiologic tests. There have been no prospective, randomized therapeutic trials, and it is unclear if the disease is self-limiting or if treatment is actually beneficial. Prognosis varies, ranging from full resolution to permanent vision loss despite intervention.

Keywords: Chikungunya; Complications; Optic neuritis; Retinitis; Uveitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chikungunya Fever / blood
  • Chikungunya Fever / complications*
  • Chikungunya Fever / diagnosis*
  • Chikungunya Fever / virology
  • Chikungunya virus / isolation & purification
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Eye Diseases / drug therapy
  • Eye Diseases / etiology
  • Eye Diseases / virology*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Optic Neuritis / drug therapy
  • Optic Neuritis / etiology
  • Optic Neuritis / virology
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinitis / drug therapy
  • Retinitis / etiology
  • Retinitis / virology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Uveitis / drug therapy
  • Uveitis / etiology
  • Uveitis / virology
  • Young Adult