J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2023 Feb;64(2):158-163. 10.3341/jkos.2023.64.2.158.

Recurrent Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization in an Adolescent

• Lee H
• Lee J
• Moon J

• KMID: 2539921
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2023.64.2.158

Abstract

Purpose
To report recurrent idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in an adolescent.
Case summary
A 14-year-old male presented with reduced vision in the right eye, 3 weeks in duration. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.2. He lacked any medical or ocular history, any family history of retinal disease, and any trauma history. Autorefraction yielded a spherical equivalent of -4.75 diopters. Neither posterior staphyloma nor myopic macular degeneration was apparent in a fundus photograph. However, the photograph revealed a greyish foveal lesion with a subretinal hemorrhage, but was otherwise unremarkable. Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography revealed foveal CNV with a subretinal hemorrhage and fluid. As no feature known to cause CNV was apparent, we diagnosed idiopathic CNV and prescribed right-eye intravitreal ranibizumab injections. After treatment, the BCVA became 1.0, but the CNV continued to recur; he has received 26 intravitreal ranibizumab injections over the last 47 months.
Conclusions
Most idiopathic CNVs in adolescents are well-treated with fewer injections. However, CNV can continue to recur; multiple intravitreal injections and careful monitoring may be required.

Keyword

Adolescents; Choroidal neovascularization; Intravitreal injections; Ranibizumab; Recurrence