Progressive Massive Choroidal Neovascularization, an Aggressive Phenotype: Case Report

Abstract

We report 2 cases of an aggressive choroidal neovascularization phenotype. A 77-year-old hypertensive woman, with a 4-year history of visual loss in her left eye, due to vitreous hemorrhage associated with a dome-shaped mass lesion underwent pars plana vitrectomy. An extensive subretinal hemorrhage was found, associated with extensive subretinal fibrosis, which was treated with endophotocoagulation and intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF. Best-corrected visual acuity after surgery was light perception. A 74-year-old woman with a 4-year history of treatment for choroidal neovascularization in both eyes presented with an extensive subretinal hemorrhage associated with exudation in the temporal peripheral retina. Lesions became larger despite monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (14 injections) and verteporfin photodynamic therapy in both eyes. Throughout the years, the choroidal neovascular lesion continued to enlarge until it developed a severe vitreous hemorrhage. The patient rejected treatment and ended up with no light perception at the end of the follow-up (8 years). A rare severe choroidal neovascularization phenotype is presented here and would be considered to be at the aggressive extreme of the spectrum of a neovascular age-related macular degeneration or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy that presents massive hemorrhage and exudation as much as in the posterior pole as in the peripheral retina.

Keywords

• age-related macular degeneration
• choroidal neovascularization
• polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy