On 8th March, Akklappa, aged 50 years, had received the Covishield vaccine at a government health centre at Thirumani, which is in Pavagada taluk, Tumakuru district. After two days, he lost his vision in left eye that left him and his family in a shocked state. Private hospital doctors in Pavagada referred him to Minto Eye Hospital in Bengaluru.

Muttayalappa, his son-in-law said that he has had diabetes for the past 5-6 years, but was always in control. Every month, he regularly goes for check-ups and is taking the medication. Yet, they don’t understand what happened after taking the vaccine and now they all are scared that he might lose sight in his other eye too. Traumatized by this experience, the family is too scared to take the second dose of the vaccine questioning who will take the responsibility if something happens. 

Doctors at Minto Hospital said that the loss of vision was not because of the vaccine, but Akklappa’s comorbidities. His BP and ocular pressure were very high when he came on 12th March. His cholesterol levels were also high and he was not on any blood thinners.

Dr Sujatha Rathod, who is a Director of Minto Eye Hospital said that a diagnosis of the central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) was confirmed in the left eye. The necessary emergency protocols were done to restore his vision, such as ocular massage and reducing the intraocular pressure. Also, anterior chamber paracentesis was done and drugs were used locally and systemically to reduce the increased intraocular pressure that must have caused the vascular supply to the eye being stopped. Plaques and calcification in the carotid arteries could be one of the causes for CRAO. 

She further said that he had carotid blockages more on the left side as compared to the right side. This could be a major contributor for the block in the left eye, as he was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol levels. Akklappa was admitted for one week and a detailed systemic evaluation was done by a cardiologist to rule out other major vessel blocks. He was also asked to return for a follow-up.

Source: The New Indian Express