Cavernous haemangioma of the retina and optic disc. A report of three cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

We report characteristics of three cases of cavernous haemangioma of the retina, bringing to 37 the number now reported in the available literature. This rare, benign, congenital malformation is non-progressive, usually unilateral, somewhat more frequent in women, and rarely a source of intraocular haemorrhage. The fluorescein angiographic features include a normal arterial and venous supply, extraordinarily slowed venous drainage, no arterio-venous shunting, no disturbances of vascular permeability, and no secondary retinal exudation. Almost always, isolated clusters of vascular globules with plasma/erythrocyte sedimentation surround the main body of the malformation. These findings differentiate the anomaly from other retinal vascular diseases. Therapeutic intervention is seldom necessary.