Paediatric case of peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation associated with optic disc drusen treated with aflibercept

Abstract

Peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation (PPCNV) associated with optic disc drusen is a rare complication that can result in severe vision impairment in children. We report the first case of paediatric PPCNV secondary to optic disc drusen successfully treated with intravitreal aflibercept. A 6-year-old girl presented with a one week history of reduced vision in her right eye with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/500. Fundus examination revealed bilateral elevated discs with a peripapillary pigmentary lesion in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography of the right eye showed marked subfoveal fluid. Both B-scan ultrasonography and fundus autofluorescence demonstrated findings consistent with optic disc drusen. Diagnosis of PPCNV was further confirmed on fluorescein fundus angiography. The child received three intravitreal aflibercept injections with complete resolution of the subfoveal fluid. Her visual acuity improved to 20/25 with no recurrence at a 16-month follow-up. No adverse side effects were reported.

Optic Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings of Bilateral Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Optic Disc Drusen Treated with Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection

“…Anti-VEGF agents have been increasingly preferred as the first-line treatment because they ensure high visual acuity and disease stabilization usually with fewer intravitreal injections especially in paediatric cases, and recurrence is almost never observed. Gan and Long reported complete resolution after 3 doses of injection in cases for whom aflibercept was injected for the first time [11]. Knape et al reported rapid and atraumatic resolution with the combination of bevacizumab and focal laser photocoagulation [12].…”