[Peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy: clinical and angiographic findings]

Peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) is a degenerative disease of the peripheral retina and choroid in the elderly. Although PEHCR is often seen by clinicians, this entity is underrepresented in the ophthalmological literature. This may be due to inconsistent naming.

We present the clinical, ultrasonographic and angiographic findings of 11 eyes of 8 patients who were diagnosed with PECHR in our department between January 2006 and June 2008. In addition, we report the intra- and postoperative course of three eyes that have been vitrectomised because of a vitreous haemorrhage associated with PEHCR.

The mean age of the patients is 83.5 years (range: 75 - 95). The mean follow-up is 11 months (range: 0 to 20). The clinical and angiographic signs were dependent on the stage of the disease and may be seen as small asymptomatic peripheral subretinal bleeding and exudation. In advanced stages, vitreous haemorrhage and exudative retinal detachment may be observed. The temporal periphery of the fundus appears to be more often affected than other locations. Three patients were affected bilaterally. Vitreous haemorrhage was the reason for presentation in three eyes (27 %) that were treated successfully by vitrectomy.

Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vitreous haemorrhage and peripheral subretinal tumors in the elderly.