Retinal arterial macroaneurysms

Indocyanine green angiography in isolated primary retinal arterial macroaneurysms

“…Their natural history will usually follow a course of thrombosis, fibrosis and spontaneous involution with a return to the previous visual function (Robertson 1973). However, about 50% of these patients have haemorrhagic activity and vascular leakage surrounding the macroaneurysm (Rabb et al 1988). Intraretinal and vitreous haemorrhages produced by RAM are generally completely resolved with little or no effect on vision (Rabb et al 1988).…”

“…However, about 50% of these patients have haemorrhagic activity and vascular leakage surrounding the macroaneurysm (Rabb et al 1988). Intraretinal and vitreous haemorrhages produced by RAM are generally completely resolved with little or no effect on vision (Rabb et al 1988). Vascular leakage often results in chronic retinal oedema and accumulation of lipids, which together with the haemorrhages are the most common causes of poor visual outcome (Cleary et al 1975;Asdourian et al 1977).…”

“…Although spontaneous involution with good visual prognosis is the most frequent course of RAM, treatment with laser is recommended when there is visual loss as a result of macular oedema, macular exudate, serous neurosensory retinal detachment or recurrent vitreous haemorrhage (Rabb et al 1988). It is therefore crucial to establish an accurate diagnosis of this process.…”

“…The first published report of an isolated RAM was by Loring in 1880 in which he described a peculiar ectasia within the first bifurcation of a retinal artery in an otherwise healthy young man with normal vision. Since then numerous reports describing this finding have appeared in the literature (Rabb et al 1988) until Robertson (1973) coined the term 'retinal arterial macroaneurysm' to describe retinal arterial ectasies, which have a sacular or fusiform appearance and are located mainly at the arterial bifurcations on the first three orders of the retinal arterial tree.…”

Hypertension and the eye: changing perspectives

“…73 They are commonly seen in hypertensive retinopathy giving rise to starshaped exudation and sometimes complicated by Hypertension and the eye: perspectives S Chatterjee et al pre-retinal or intravitreal haemorrhage. 73,74 Spontaneous resolution with thrombosis within the macroaneurysm may occur 73 (Figure 4). In the presence of active leakage laser photocoagulation may be applied directly to the macroaneurysm.…”