Retinal Detachment Complicating Endogenous Endophthalmitis in a COVID-19 Patient With Superimposed Streptococcus pneumoniae Bacteremia

TL;DR

A rare case of retinal detachment caused by eye infection in a COVID-19 patient with a secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is reported.

Contribution

The paper presents a unique case linking retinal detachment to endogenous endophthalmitis in a COVID-19 patient with S. pneumoniae bacteremia.

Findings

Retinal detachment occurred as a complication of endogenous endophthalmitis in a COVID-19 patient.

Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia was identified as a superimposed infection.

Early ophthalmologic evaluation is emphasized to improve outcomes in similar cases.

Abstract

Endophthalmitis is a rare, vision-threatening ocular infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread use of immunosuppressive agents—particularly corticosteroids—and prolonged hospital stays have been associated with an increased risk of secondary bacterial infections, including ocular involvement. One such opportunistic pathogen is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Among the rare but severe complications of endogenous endophthalmitis is retinal detachment (RD), which often results in a poor visual prognosis. We present a unique case of RD secondary to endogenous endophthalmitis in a COVID-19 patient with S. pneumoniae bacteremia. This case highlights the importance of early ophthalmologic evaluation in patients with ocular symptoms during or after COVID-19 infection to ensure timely intervention and improve clinical outcomes.

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