The presence of retinal vasculitis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is not uncommon. However, asymptomatic presentations are quite rare. Here, we present a case of 25-year-old Malay gentleman with pulmonary tuberculosis, who was referred for an eye assessment following initiation of anti-tuberculosis drugs. His vision was good; he had no other symptoms despite having retinal neovascularization, pre-retinal haemorrhages and healed choroiditis at the fundus of the left eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed multiple areas of capillary fallouts at the superotemporal quadrant of the left eye with leakage from the retinal neovascularization. He was treated with laser retinal photocoagulation and oral steroids for 6 weeks, while the anti-tuberculosis drugs were continued for 9 months. Subsequent follow-ups showed regression of the neovascularization. He has remained asymptomatic since his initial visit to the eye clinic.
Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is uncommon among young patients. Among the young adults, CRVO tends to be more benign with good visual prognosis. Macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion is a relatively common complication that is currently being treated with intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor with good outcomes. Other complications include lamellar hole, vitreous hemorrhage and neovascular glaucoma. We report a case of central retinal vein occlusion in a young female who presented to us with the complaint of blurring of vision in the left eye for four months. Fundus examination showed hyperemic optic disc, dilated tortuous vein, extensive retinal hemorrhages with macular oedema and an inferior shallow exudative retinal detachment. One month later, intravitreal ranibizumab injection for her macular oedema, a full thickness macular hole developed with reduction of macular oedema. Four months later, the hole spontaneously closed but her macular oedema persisted. The possibility of rare complications like exudative retinal detachment and full thickness macular hole must be kept in mind to ensure early detection and effective management is provided to preserve vision.
Macular branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), a type of retinal vein occlusion, is rarely recognised as a distinct entity. Macular BRVO has unique clinical features and different natural courses than the major BRVO. We report a case of a young patient with macular BRVO with macular oedema who was successfully treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection. A 43 year-old Chinese man with no underlying medical illness presented with 2 weeks history of left eye painless reduced central vision which was worsening over time. On examination, his left eye visual acuity was 6/30 and Amsler chart drawing showed a lower central scotoma. Dilated fundus examination found marked flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages with cotton wool spot over the superior macular area bounded superiorly by superior arcade and macular thickening. An optical coherence tomography revealed cystoid macular oedema; and fundus fluorescein angiography showed occlusion of a small venous branch draining a superior part of macula to superior temporal venous arcade. A complete medical investigation found that he has hypertriglyceridemia and he was managed accordingly. His vision had improved to 6/6 after receiving 3 injections of intravitreal ranibizumab with no residual central scotoma and complete resolution of macular oedema.
A 26-year-old woman with a recent flare-up of systemic lupus erythematosus presented with peripheral retinal hemorrhages at a routine check-up. She is on a tapering dose of immunosuppressive agents. Her visual acuity was good. Fluorescein angiogram revealed vasculitic changes with capillary non-perfusion areas. A few weeks later, she developed cerebral lupus with advanced lupus nephritis. Immunosuppressive therapy was restarted and panretinal photocoagulation was delivered. Her visual acuity remained stable, despite development of a cataract from prednisolone therapy.