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DOI: 10.1055/a-2786-2750
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Congenital Retinal Macrovessel with Pigment Epithelial Detachment

Kongenitales retinales Makrogefäß mit Pigmentepitheldetachment

Authors

  • Mehmet Cem Sabaner 

    1   Ophthalmology, Bilecik Training and Research Hospital, Bilecik, Turkey

  • Irem Gunes

    1   Ophthalmology, Bilecik Training and Research Hospital, Bilecik, Turkey
    2   Ophthalmology, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey

  • Fatih Gurdal

    1   Ophthalmology, Bilecik Training and Research Hospital, Bilecik, Turkey
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Introduction

Congenital retinal macrovessel (CRM) is a rare anatomical anomaly characterized by an aberrant, typically venous, blood vessel traversing the foveal center [1]. In 1869, Mauthner provided the earliest description of a prominent aberrant retinal vessel located in the macula [2]. It was not until later that Brown et al. introduced the term CRM in their report of seven cases, characterizing the condition as an unusually large retinal vessel–most often a vein–crossing the central macula and exhibiting a vascular distribution that extends both superior and inferior to the horizontal raphe, and extend across the macular region [3].

Although CRM have been reported in pediatric patients, they are not confined to younger age groups [1], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. Cases involving adults and elderly individuals have also been described in the literature, indicating that CRM may remain asymptomatic and undetected for many years [1], [6], [9] – [14].

The clinical relevance of CRM extends beyond its direct impact on visual function, as it may be linked to additional ocular findings. While CRM is frequently asymptomatic, it has been associated with various retinal pathologies, including cystoid macular edema, retinal venous branch occlusion, macroaneurysm, macular hard exudates, serous retinal detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), retinal cavernous hemangiomas, macular hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage and myelinated nerve fibers [1], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]. The condition is commonly identified incidentally during routine ophthalmologic evaluations, as most patients retain good visual acuity despite the presence of these vascular anomalies.

While CRM has been described in association with numerous retinal abnormalities, no reports in the literature have documented its coexistence with pigment epithelial detachment (PED). Here, we present a unique case of a 53-year-old woman in whom routine ophthalmic examination for presbyopia revealed CRM in conjunction with serous PED. This report aims to contribute to the growing understanding of coexistence or associations between these two distinct clinical entities.



Publication History

Received: 01 December 2025

Accepted: 10 January 2026

Article published online:
10 February 2026

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