Ocular findings of congenital Zika virus infection with microcephaly

Purpose To describe ocular findings in infants with signs of congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) in Paraiba, Brazil, as well as to conduct a literature review and report correlations with published clinical cases. Methods In the Paraiba sample, infants with microcephaly suggestive of CZS were classified as Z (confirmed), PZ (probable), or SZ (suspected) according to serological testing and/or clinical findings of CZS. The patients underwent a clinical eye examination, and the results were correlated with published clinical cases. Results Ocular findings were present in 24 (42.9%) of 56 patients, consisting of gross retinal pigmentation in 11 (45.8%), macular chorioretinal atrophy in 11 (45.8%), optic nerve hypoplasia in 1 (4.2%), optic nerve pallor in 14 (58.3%), and increased cup-to-disk ratio in 2 (8.3%). The study revealed retina and optic nerve findings consistent with previous reports of ophthalmic involvement in CZS. However, external ocular changes observed in other studies were not detected. Conclusion Ocular findings similar and consistent with the literature on CZS were observed with considerable frequency and severity, regardless of the patients' serological confirmation or classification. Infants with signs of CZS should undergo ocular examination.