Over the past few months, ophthalmologic complications linked to dengue have been reported in around 30 patients (sudden and severe loss of visual acuity, appearance of black spots). Symptoms appear on average 7 days after the onset of signs of dengue. These manifestations are characterized by a sudden and sometimes severe loss of visual acuity, whether or not associated with the presence of scotomas (appearance of black spots). These symptoms appear on average 7 days after the onset of signs of dengue fever (fever, headache, joint and / or muscle pain). The patients concerned are young, with an average age of 20 to 40 years.
Specific care has been set up in hospitals and investigations are being carried out by Public Health France in collaboration with hospital practitioners to better understand the phenomenon already encountered during epidemics in the West Indies and New Caledonia. Also, patients who experience these symptoms should see an ophthalmologist quickly or go to a hospital emergency room.
To date, the investigations carried out have established a possible link with dengue fever in about thirty patients. The occurrence of these complications is relatively rare and has been previously described in a few patients during epidemics of dengue type 1 in the West Indies and New Caledonia.
Patients who experience these late symptoms should see an ophthalmologist quickly or go to a hospital emergency room.
Specific support is in place at the island’s hospitals.
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