Visual acuity recovery in a case of idiopathic retinal vasculitis aneurysms and neuroretinitis

To describe the visual recovery after intravitreal injections of the antivascular endothelial growth factor, bevacizumab, in a case of vaso obliteration from idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysm, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN). The name IRVAN was given to the condition to highlight the key findings present in the disease. IRVAN is a severe, sight threatening condition that can lead to peripheral capillary non-perfusion and vision loss from the ischemic sequelae of vascular occlusion. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is the current standard of care for IRVAN but visual outcome is poor if PRP is initiated after neovascularization develops. Intravitreal bevacizumab has success at treating neovascularization from other ischemic retinopathies and inflammatory retinal conditions that have similar characteristics to IRVAN.

This case report describes a patient with decreased vision in the OS. The patient presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in the OD and count fingers at 4 ft in the OS. Evaluation revealed findings consistent with an advanced stage of IRVAN. Anterior and posterior neovascularization had developed from extensive capillary non-perfusion in both retinas. A dense vitreous hemorrhage blocked vision OS. Bilateral intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and extensive PRP were given in the area of retinal ischemia for treatment. After 4 months, the patient's vision had improved from count fingers in the OS to 20/40.

IRVAN has favorable outcomes when treated with a combination of PRP and intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of this combination treatment in a case of IRVAN with both posterior and anterior neovascularization.