[Congenital retinal macrovessel]

Abstract

Patient: A 18-year-old male was evaluated for vitreous floaters. Examination exhibited a large, aberrant retinal venule in the inferiortemporal macula. The venule crossed the horizontal raphe. Only slight retinal pigment epithelial changes were present. Fluorescein angiography transiting revealed no early filling and no evidence of arteriovenous anastomoses. The diagnosis of a congenital retinal macrovessel was made.

Conclusion: This condition is a rare, usually unilateral retinal vascular anomaly which may be associated with arteriovenous anastomoses. Areas of capillary nonperfusion, foveal cysts, and associated vitreous hemorrhage have been described. The condition is, however, in most cases ophthalmoscopically stable, and the visual prognosis is excellent.