Purpose: To describe a patient with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHRRPE), treated successfully by submacular surgery.
Design: Interventional case report.
Methods: A 12-year-old girl was referred to our clinic for evaluation. Visual acuity was 20/30 in the affected left eye. Ophthalmoscopy disclosed juxtapapillary CHRRPE and subfoveal pigmented CNV. Vitreous surgery was carried out because of visual deterioration to 20/60.
Results: The posterior vitreous was strongly attached to glial tissue at the superior margin of the optic disk in the CHRRPE region. The CNV, which was not connected with the CHRRPE, was carefully removed, resulting in visual improvement to 20/20 5 months after surgery. Histologically, the excised membrane showed fibroblast-rich cellular component and a type 2 configuration.
Conclusion: Submacular surgery can be effective for the treatment of secondary CNV associated with CHRRPE.