[Three cases of combined hamartomas of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium with various clinical signs].

BACKGROUND

We report three cases of combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium(combined hamartoma). One was typical and the other two cases showed a different picture in funduscopic examination because of their general complications.

CASES

Three patients, aged between 14 and 30, developed combined hamartoma showing various clinical feautures. The tumors were located on the optic disc or at the posterior poles. The tumors were pigmented and elevated with epiretinal membrane. The size of the lesion was 1.5 to 6 disc diameters and the color was yellowish-brown or black. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated hypofluorescence of the tumor in the early phase and hyperfluoresence of the capillaries of the tumor which were connected to retinal vessels. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated leakage of probable capillaries of the tumor. One case showed tractional retinal detachment and the others showed retinal neovascularization or cystoid edema. The patients' vision did not improve, but the size of their lesions was stable during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined hamartoma is usually benign. None of the patients developed tumor growth in our cases. However, two patients had severe visual loss because of complications.