Purpose:
Retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) has been reported in association with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and usually BRVO precedes RAM. We present a long-term follow-up case report of unilateral multiple RAMs that developed BRVO following ruptured RAM in the same retinal quadrant.
Case presentation:
An 80-year-old woman presented with floaters in her right eye in June 2012. Visual acuity (VA) was 20/25 in her right eye with posterior capsular opacity. Her fundus showed the first ruptured RAM at the superotemporal vascular arcade with subinternal limiting membrane and subretinal hemorrhages not involving the macula. These were absorbed gradually with a VA of 20/20. After 2 years, the second RAM at the proximal superotemporal vascular arcade developed and impending BRVO occurred with macular edema at the distal site of the RAM. With the RAM located close to the arteriovenous crossing, her VA was dropped to 20/60. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was performed and macular edema was resolved with improved vision of 20/30. Three months later, she realized a sudden vision loss of 2/200. Her posterior pole showed massive pre- and subretinal hemorrhages, and vitrectomy was performed. The source of bleeding was the third RAM's rupture in a different artery. Her vision improved to 20/30. The unaffected eye showed no RAMs.
Conclusion:
We experienced a long-term follow-up case of multiple RAMs showing different courses. We should cautiously note that BRVO can occur following RAM at the arteriovenous crossing.