Unilateral retinal neovascularization associated with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in a patient with gyrate atrophy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To describe the first case of unilateral peripheral retinal neovasularization associated with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage and localised tractional retinal detachment in a patient with gyrate atrophy (GA). METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: A 23-year-old man with confirmed diagnosis of gyrate atrophy presented with vitreous hemorrhage and history of stable peripheral inferior tractional retinal detachment in the left eye. After three months, the vitreous hemorrhage partially reabsorbed and peripheral retinal vascular abnormalities with focal neovascularization were detected with associated tractional retinal detachment and confirmed on fluorescein angiography. Cryotherapy was performed to prevent any further bleeding. Twelve months later, the left eye remained stable and no further vitreous bleeding occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of peripheral retinal neovascularization, localised tractional retinal detachment and recurrent vitreous hemorrhage can be a unilateral complication of gyrate atrophy. In similar cases, cryotherapy may represent a valuable therapeutic option to prevent recurrent bleeding.