Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome Presenting in Possibly Contracted Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), an inflammatory retinal condition seen predominantly in young adult patients, is characterized by unilateral vision loss with variable scotomas. The etiology of MEWDS is currently elusive and the formal mechanism is unknown. However, it must be differentiated from other white dot syndromes (WDS). Fundus fluorescein angiography in MEWDS exhibits a "wreath-like" arrangement of hyperfluorescent lesions predominantly located in the outer retina. Herein we present a case of a 32-year-old Southeast Asian female who presented to the emergency department with peripheral blindness and central scotomas. The patient's daughter was diagnosed with hand-foot-and-mouth disease seven days earlier, which often presents as an extremely debilitating condition. Below, we elaborate on the etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic methods to elucidate the multifactorial causes of MEWDS and aid clinicians in diagnosis and treatment. Although associated with certain viral illnesses, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reported cases of MEWDS in conjunction with hand-foot-and-mouth disease.