[Retinal arterial macroaneurysm complicated by premacular hemorrhage: treatment by YAG laser disruption]

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms are ectatic modifications of the arterial wall. They are a relatively uncommon condition that can threaten visual function by pre- or subretinal hemorrhage if rupture or massive macular exudation occurs.

We report a case of a 59-year-old patient with arterial hypertension who presented an arterial macroaneurysm complicated by premacular hemorrhage. We performed Nd: YAG laser photodisruption, which resulted in drainage of preretinal blood, with complete hemorrhage regression and visual recovery.

Retinal macroaneurysms are acquired malformations, often isolated and located in a temporal artery. Their progression is unpredictable, evolving toward spontaneous occlusion, occurrence of chronic exudative retinopathy, or hemorrhagic complications by fissuration or rupture of the arterial wall. Through this observation, the authors discuss the value of YAG laser photodisruption for preretinal hemorrhage caused by retinal macroaneurysm.