Current Treatments in Retinal Macroaneurysm

Dr. Çiğdem Coşkun

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) are dilations that occur within the first three bifurcations of the central retinal artery or at arteriovenous crossing points. They predominantly affect women and the elderly and are commonly associated with systemic hypertension and cardiovascular arteriosclerotic disease. Most patients are asymptomatic; however, significant vision loss can occur due to macular edema, exudates, or hemorrhage. Although the diagnosis of RAM is primarily based on the fundoscopic appearance of the lesion, diagnostic tools such as fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, optical coher- ence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography are valuable for diagnosis, treatment plan- ning, and follow-up. While many RAM cases are asymptomatic, others can lead to vision loss due to exudative or hemorrhagic complications. Therapeutic interventions for treating RAM and its related complications in- clude laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and surgical procedures.

Keywords: Retinal arterial macroaneurysm; Macular edema; Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor; Laser photocoagulation; Pars plana vitrectomy

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