A 46-Year-Old Woman With Lyme Disease and Bilateral Vision Loss
Lyme disease can affect the nervous system and eyes, sometimes leading to serious complications such as optic neuritis and vision loss. In this episode of the Inside Lyme Podcast, Dr. Cameron reviews the case of a 46-year-old woman with Lyme disease who developed bilateral vision loss.
Dr. Cameron believes that one of the best ways to understand Lyme disease is by reviewing actual clinical cases.
Jha and colleagues first described this case in the Wisconsin Medical Journal in 2018.
An ophthalmologic examination confirmed the optometrist’s initial finding of optic neuritis. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve that can lead to significant visual impairment. The patient also had impaired color vision in both eyes.
Optic neuritis associated with Lyme disease is thought to result from inflammation of the optic nerve caused by infection or immune-mediated injury affecting the central nervous system.
Her vision loss was severe. Legal blindness is defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye after correction. In this case, the woman’s visual acuity was 20/400 in both eyes.
“Upon questioning, she endorsed some improvement in vision after initiation of antibiotic therapy,” the authors wrote.
Unfortunately, the final outcome of the case remains uncertain. The patient left the hospital against medical advice and did not return for follow-up care.
Vision problems are one of several neurologic complications that may occur in patients with neurologic Lyme disease.
Clinical Takeaway
Although uncommon, Lyme disease can affect the optic nerve and lead to significant vision loss. Early recognition and treatment of neurologic Lyme disease may help improve outcomes in some patients.
You can hear more about these cases through Dr. Cameron’s blog, social media channels, and YouTube videos. Sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on new case discussions and research.
You can read the full text of this podcast at:
Woman with Lyme disease and vision problems. An Inside Lyme Podcast
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lyme disease cause vision loss?
Yes. Lyme disease can affect the nervous system and optic nerve, sometimes causing optic neuritis, blurred vision, or other neurologic eye symptoms.
What eye problems can Lyme disease cause?
Lyme disease has been associated with optic neuritis, uveitis, double vision, visual field defects, and other neurologic eye complications.
Is optic neuritis common in Lyme disease?
Optic neuritis is considered an uncommon complication of Lyme disease but has been reported in patients with neurologic Lyme disease.
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We hope you will join the conversation, connect with other readers, ask questions, and share your insights.
Dr. Cameron is a Lyme disease specialist and the author of Inside Lyme: An Expert’s Guide to the Science of Lyme Disease. He has been treating adolescents and adults with Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections for more than 30 years.
Please note that the information provided here is general educational material and is not intended as medical advice for any individual patient. If you require specific medical advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
