Pertussis Infection and Bilateral Optic Neuropathy Leading to Blindness in a 68-Year-old Male Patient: Possible Link or a Coincidence?.

Jamil, H.; Momeni, M.; Devonport, H.

Pertussis Infection and Bilateral Optic Neuropathy Leading to Blindness in a 68-Year-old Male Patient: Possible Link or a Coincidence?.

All Authors

Jamil, H.

Momeni, M.

Devonport, H.

LTHT Author

Momeni, Mahsa

LTHT Department

Doctors' Rotation

Publication Date

2026

Item Type

Case Reports
Journal Article

Subject

OPTIC NERVE DISEASES , BLINDNESS , WHOOPING COUGH , HOSPITALISATION , PERTUSSIS VACCINE

Abstract

Whooping cough is a deadly infection that mainly targets infants, but its incidence is also on the rise in adults. Bilateral optic neuropathy is rare and can be due to genetic factors, infections or autoimmune disorders. We present a case of a 68-year-old man who presented to a UK hospital with worsening vision in both eyes for three days. His vital signs including blood pressure were within normal limits. He was reviewed by acute internal medicine, ophthalmology and neurology teams. His investigations were unremarkable except serological evidence of recent pertussis infection. Despite steroid therapy, his vision did not improve and he lost his vision. There is no case in the literature suggesting the link between pertussis and bilateral optic neuropathy in adults, making this case a possible first case report suggesting a link between pertussis infection and bilateral optic neuropathy in adults and hence warranting further studies.