Complete resolution of a giant pigment epithelial detachment secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration after a single intravitreal ranibizumab (lucentis) injection: results documented by optical coherence tomography.

AIM

To describe a patient with a giant pigment epithelial detachment (PED) secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) successfully treated with a single intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) injection (0.5 mg/0.05 ml).

METHODS

An 89-year-old woman presented with a six-day history of reduced vision and distortion in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity in that eye was 6/15. Fundoscopy revealed a giant PED and exudates temporally to the fovea. Optical coherence tomography showed a PED associated with subretinal and intraretinal fluid. Fluorescein angiography confirmed the diagnosis of an occult choroidal neovascularization. Treatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (Lucentis) was recommended, although the increased risk of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) rip was mentioned.

RESULTS

Four weeks after the first intravitreal Lucentis injection, the visual acuity in the left eye improved to 6/7.5, with a significant improvement of the distortion and a complete anatomical resolution of the PED confirmed by optical coherence tomography.

CONCLUSION

Giant PED secondary to exudative ARMD can be successfully treated with intravitreal ranibizumab, despite the increased risk of RPE rip. To our knowledge, this is the first case presenting with complete resolution of PED after a single ranibizumab injection.