Retinal arteriovenous communication.

BACKGROUND

Disturbances in development of the embryonic vascular system, though uncommon, may cause formation of retinal arteriovenous communications (RAC). Such anomalies may also involve the intracranial, orbital, and maxillofacial blood vessels. Field loss, neovascular glaucoma, optic atrophy, Parinaud syndrome, hemiparesis, hemiplegia, and proptosis may be associated with RAC.

CASE REPORT

A 27-year-old woman was referred for photography of a vascular anomaly in her left eye. I noted a large arteriovenous malformation joining major temporal branches of the left central retinal artery and vein. External and internal examination of both eyes was otherwise unremarkable. Visual-field testing revealed nasal field disturbances for the left eye, but none for the right eye. CT scan showed no obvious intracranial abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual-field testing may show scotomas associated with retinal arteriovenous communications. It is possible for patients with RAC to have no associated vascular abnormalities elsewhere in the circulation of the head.