Abstract

Purpose: to study the ocular manifestations and its management in spotted fever and typhus group of rickettsial disease.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 50 patients with Rickettsial disease. Relevant history, investigations and treatment details collected and underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation
Results: Mean age was 12.5 ± 8.99 years. 27 (54%) had ocular involvement, bilateral involvement in 10 patients. Retinal vasculitis 6 (22.22%); macular edema 4 (14.81%); vasculitis 1 (3.7%); Retinitis 7 (25.92%); Papilloedema 6 (22.22%) and optic neuritis 1 (3.7%). Ocular involvement common in double antigen (68%) than spotted fever (50%) or Scrub typhus (21%) (P = 0.01). Ocular involvement seen in 94% with CNS involvement. Bilateral involvement (P = 0.01), pediatric age group (P = 0.01) and CNS involvement (P = 0.02) had poor outcome.
Conclusion: Rickettsioses can have posterior segment involvement during acute phase. Ocular involvement was more common in the double antigen group.