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Case Reports
. 2022 Aug 29;14(8):e28523.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.28523. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Symptoms Associated With the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

Tejas Raxwal  1 , Zeid Akel  2 , Jotsna Naidu  3 , Koravangala Sundaresh  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Symptoms Associated With the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

Tejas Raxwal et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Multiple neuro-ophthalmological symptoms, such as visual field defects, optic neuritis, and eye movement abnormalities, have been reported with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. It is unknown whether the COVID-19 vaccine can result in similar neuro-ophthalmological symptoms post-vaccination. Here, we describe a case of optic neuritis after the administration of the mRNA COVID-19 Moderna vaccine. A 47-year-old female presented eight days after receiving the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine with impaired vision in the left eye and symptoms consistent with optic neuritis. The patient underwent a workup for infectious etiology, autoimmune diseases, and allergies, which was negative. The patient was treated with a high dose of steroids resulting in the complete resolution of her symptoms. The patient was recommended against the second dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Early detection and treatment of optic neuritis are important to prevent the long-term sequelae of neuritis with impaired vision.

Keywords: coronavirus; covid-19; moderna vaccine; mrna covid-19 vaccine; optic neuritis; sars-cov-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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