Two Cases of Cataract after COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Injection

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report two cases of cataract that progressed after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Case summary: Two patients visited our clinic with decreased visual acuity in the left eye that began after mRNA vaccine. A 40-year-old man visited our hospital with decreased visual acuity in the left eye that developed 1 week after injection of the second dose of mRNA-1273 (Moderna®, Cambridge, UK). A 40-year-old woman visited our clinic with decreased visual acuity in the left eye that occurred on day 46 after the injection of the third dose of BNT162b2 (Pfizer®, New York, NY, USA). Neither case had any relevant ophthalmic history, and there was no clear optic neuropathy or retinopathy on fundus examination. After phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation, the best-corrected visual acuity improved, and intraocular pressure has remained stable. Conclusions: The possibility of cataract development or progression after COVID-19 mRNA vaccine injection should be considered. ©2022 The Korean Ophthalmological Society.