Unilateral Retinal Vascular Malformation in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Abstract

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangeiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that leads to vascular malformations. It was first recognized in the 19th century as a familial disorder with abnormal vascular structures causing bleeding from the nose and gastrointestinal tract. HHT is characterized by telangiectatic lesions of the nose, lips, lungs, brain, and spinal cord. The reported incidence in Europe and Japan is between 1:5000 and 1:8000; but is widely variable in other regions. It is seen more frequently in whites. Ocular involvement has been reported in patients with HHT. Although conjunctival telangiectasia is the most common manifestation, rarely intraocular vascular lesions such as retinal telangiectasia and arteriovenous malformations in the retina, are seen. We describe a patient with HHT who had an abnormal unilateral retinal vascular abnormality along with tortuous conjunctival vasculature in the other eye, which has not been reported till date.