Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the clinical features, systemic and ocular associations and the visual outcome following treatment of macroaneurysms in patients who attended our department.
Methods: :
Retrospective observational case study of 10 patients with macroaneurysms, who attended our department between October 2002 and October 2005. Their Case notes, fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms were examined. Clinical and morphological features, associated systemic and ocular conditions, pre and post treatment visual acuities were analyzed.
Results: :
10 patients aged 65 to 81 years, presented with decreased vision either generalised or central depending on the macular involvement. 7 patients were females, 6 were hypertensives, retinal vascular occlusion was noted in 1 contralateral and 4 ipsilateral eyes. Macroaneurysms were most frequent on the superotemporal followed by inferotemporal vessels involving macula. 8 patients had haemorrhagic (including 4 recurrent) and 2 had exudative type of macroaneurysm. Haemorrhage ranged from intraretinal to recurrent vitreous haemorrhage with one patient requiring vitrectomy. 8 patients were treated with laser. One macroaneurysm bled during laser treatment. Visual acuity improved to 6/12 and more in all but one treated patient and others maintained normal vision.
Conclusions: :
Age, female sex, hypertension and retinal vascular occlusions are associated with macroaneurysm, as noted in other studies. We feel that haemorrhagic macroaneurysms should be treated early to prevent recurrent haemorrhage or exudate reaching the macula, which lessens and delays the visual recovery.
Keywords: retina • laser • macula/fovea