Lyme disease causes double vision: case report
The Lyme spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi can invade the central nervous system causing neuroborreliosis. The most common symptoms include headaches, neck stiffness, facial palsy, and peripheral neuropathy. But the disease can, on rare occasions, also cause eye-related problems. “We present a case of neuroborreliosis manifesting with diplopia [double vision],” Dixit and colleagues write. [1]
In their report, the authors describe a 69-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency room in New York City complaining of a headache and double vision.
Case report describes a man who developed headaches and double vision caused by Lyme disease.
One month earlier, the man had been hiking in a rural area of New York. He did not notice a tick bite or rash. Two weeks later, he developed a headache, which “localized to the right occipital region, and gradually moved to his right orbit,” states Dixit.
Five days later, he had double vision when opening both eyes; however, if he covered his right eye his vision normalized. “Although Lyme is known to affect the neurological system it usually does not manifest in the extraocular muscles,” the authors state.
In another study, Sathiamoorthi from the Mayo Clinic points out that “Although ocular involvement can be self-limited, delays in diagnosis may result in vision impairment and even blindness.” [2]
The man’s physical exam revealed a left-sided cranial nerve 3 palsy. All other exam findings were normal. According to the authors, 75% of patients with Lyme-induced cranial neuropathy present with facial palsy. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the only case report involving the third cranial nerve.
[bctt tweet=”Lyme disease causes double vision in 69-year-old man. ” username=”DrDanielCameron”]
Serologic tests were positive by ELISA and the Western blot showed 5 out of 10 IgG bands. The man’s spinal tap was positive by ELISA but negative by the CSF-to-serum ratio. He was treated successfully with a four-week course of intravenous ceftriaxone.
“Although neuroborreliosis is commonly associated with facial nerve palsy,” Dixit writes, “it may account for otherwise unexplained neurological manifestations and warrants evaluation with lumbar puncture and CSF studies.”
Related Articles:
Lyme disease causes vision loss in 46-year-old woman
Eye problems in tick-borne diseases other than Lyme
References:
- Dixit A, Garcia Y, Tesoriero L, Berman C, Rizzo V. Diplopia: A Rare Manifestation of Neuroborreliosis. Case Rep Neurol Med. 2018;2018:9720843.
- Sathiamoorthi, S. and W.M. Smith, The eye and tick-borne disease in the United States. Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 2016. 27(6): p. 530-537.
Brendi
03/05/2020 (9:53 am)
Do the nervous and vision symptoms disappear after successful treatment of the disease? Does the patient in this article have any symptoms?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
03/05/2020 (11:46 am)
“His diplopia resolved and he was asymptomatic two months after initiation of therapy.” wrote the authors. I have patients who remain ill after treatment.
Jan
11/01/2018 (10:01 pm)
My son has what we think is congenital Lyme, diagnosed in his 20’s. Symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and attention issues all his life, and he started getting double vision before diagnosis, and then head pressure 24/7 in one spot a year or so later. I also have Lyme, and have head pressure but in a different spot, also 24/7. Could his double vision be caused by Lyme? He’s not treating at the moment, so this has been there for about 3 years now. Not sure if it’s unrelated, or could be related to Lyme.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
11/05/2018 (9:18 am)
There are a broad range of visual disturbance issues in patients in my practice. I will add a thorough evaluation for a tick borne illness on top of your ophthalmologist.
Donny Wilmer
09/06/2018 (3:47 am)
What are the parallels between
neuroborreliosis and neurosyphilis?
Both are caused by spirochetes.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:24 pm)
There are many parallels.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:27 pm)
many
Terrye Edye
09/05/2018 (11:09 pm)
I have had 3 blood test for lyme all come back negative have burning feet headache on and off,brain fog short term memory loss eye problems I feel like its lyme
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:23 pm)
Your doctor may have to use clinical judgment if the tests are negative for tick borne illness.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:28 pm)
Your doctor will have to use clinical judgment
john topper
09/05/2018 (4:14 am)
I have had lyme now ( or some form of it ,in it’ ) for over 30 years. I was told MS,Lou Ger, over active nerves ,floaters in my eyes, many more with the most used ,” it’s all in Your head”. My guestion is will lyme attack the whites of a persons eyes ? I have dark gray lines showing up in the whites of my eyes ,that a doctor told me the thinning of the white section and what I was seeing was the the inner eye. Also two years ago during an eye exam I lost the sight in my right eye for a period of about 5 min.’s The doctor told me it was normal. I have come to think there is nothing normal with lyme over the years. Ant ideas ?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:22 pm)
The vision loss could have been an optical migraine. Your ophthalmologist would have to rule out a retinal tear. I am not an ophthalmologist but remain interested in the subject. I assume you have a broad range of problems. You might benefit from adding a doctor familiar with Lyme disease.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
09/07/2018 (7:31 pm)
Your vision loss may have been an optical migraine. You will need to be seen to rule out a retinal tear. I am not familiar with the full spectrum of eye finding. I have reviewed the paper to share what I learned. You may want to include a doctor who works with Lyme disease for the entire picture.
Rosanne
07/21/2022 (8:29 am)
I have tinnitus, double vision, and knee pain. I have been to my ophthalmologist, neurologist, ENT, and family doctor. I also had a MRI brain scan that all came out negative. I also have developed insomnia. After seeing your blogs I am now calling my family doctor to ask for a Lyme disease test which none have suggested I do live in upstate New York where Lyme disease is prevalent. I am happy that I found you. Oddly enough I am hoping the Lyme disease test is positive. What do you suppose the odds are that I have Lyme disease? Thank you.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
07/23/2022 (7:09 am)
I find other symptoms including tinnitus and knee pain helpful in identifying Lyme disease even if the tests are negative.
Angela
02/01/2023 (8:50 pm)
Sounds familiar
17 months blood work came back negative/ inconclusive
It turned out
LYME DISEASE
Keep on your doctors