Chlamydia conjunctivitis and central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE

To report a case of coexistent Chlamydia conjunctivitis and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in which both problems improved significantly after oral doxycyline.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A healthy 39-year-old man presented with follicular and papillary conjunctivitis, unresponsive to topical antibiotic therapy, and a CRVO. The patient had serum IgG titers of 1:256 to both Chlamydia pneumonia and Chlamydia trachomatous.

RESULTS

Treatment with oral doxycyline (100 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks) resulted in complete resolution of the conjunctivitis and rapid improvement of the CRVO.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of its ability to cause chronic vascular endothelial infection and localized inflammation, Chlamydia has been implicated in the development of arterial vascular disease. The positive Chlamydia serology, conjunctivitis, CRVO, and excellent response to doxycycline in this patient suggest that Chlamydia may have contributed to his vascular occlusion. Further studies investigating a possible association between Chlamydia and CRVO may be indicated.