POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: To present a unique case of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy presenting as a blind, painful eye with a suspected intraocular mass, and to correlate clinical findings with histopathologic studies.

Methods: Clinical case report and literature review.

Results: A 58-year-old Vietnamese man presented with a blind, painful eye with concern for an intraocular mass. B-scan ultrasonography showed massive intraocular hemorrhage and could not rule out a tumor. The patient underwent enucleation and the histopathologic findings were consistent with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Conclusion: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy can present with dense vitreous hemorrhage and may masquerade as an intraocular mass. It can progress rapidly and lead to profound, irreversible vision loss. A diagnosis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy should be considered in patients of African or East Asian origin presenting with vitreous hemorrhage.