Bilateral optic atrophy and epiretinal membranes: An atypical presentation of ocular tuberculosis

Abstract

A 15-year-old boy presented himself to the retina clinic with a six-year history of poor vision in both
eyes. Ocular symptoms started with deterioration in the vision of both eyes associated with ocular pain.
There was no history of antecedent trauma, headaches, seizures, or loss of consciousness. The general
and systemic examinations were normal. On ocular examination, the corrected visual acuity was 6/24 and
6/6 in the right and left eyes, respectively. The anterior segment examination was normal except for a
relative afferent pupillary defect in the right eye. Examination of the posterior segment revealed bilateral
optic atrophy worse in the right eye and cup disc ratios of 0.3 bilaterally. The vessels were within normal
limits with epiretinal membranes in both eyes. Yellowish chorioretinal lesions were present temporal to
the disc in both eyes. There was a positive history of tuberculosis in the father and brother. A diagnosis of
bilateral optic atrophy and epiretinal membranes secondary to presumed ocular tuberculosis was made.