Arteriovenous communications of the retina.

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous communications of the retina (AVCR) is a rare, congenital, retinal vascular anomaly. Usually it is unilateral, with a predilection for the papillomacular area and superotemporal quadrant of the retina. Men and women are equally affected, and rarely is this condition inherited.

METHODS

A 32-year-old woman was examined with complaints of blurred vision in the left eye after viewing a solar eclipse through a telescope. A complete eye examination showed no visible damage from viewing the eclipse, but a suspected AVCR in the left retina was observed. The patient was referred to a retina specialist for further evaluation.

RESULTS

The patient was diagnosed with a grade II AVCR in the left eye. An MRI of the head and orbits showed no intracranial AV malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

This case agrees with the expected findings for a grade I or II AVCR. Visual acuity is usually unaffected, and associated systemic AV communications are typically not found in a grade I or II AVCR. Grade III AVCR is the most severe form, and is often linked with a life-threatening midbrain AV malformation.