Presumed Intraocular Lymphoma Masquerading as Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Case Report

To describe a case of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) that initially presented and managed as dry type age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

A 69-year-old male was referred to us by decreased vision.

On funduscopy, a few small hard drusen at the posterior pole of the right eye and many large confluent drusen in the left eye were observed. Optical coherence tomography findings included the hyperreflective drusenoid materials in the subretinal pigment epithelium (sub- RPE) space which was similar to previous imaging records except for decreased area and height of pigment epithelial detachments and RPE and ellipsoid zone attenuation in some areas appeared. The thickness of the retina was normal, but the choroid appeared to be slightly decreased compared to the left eye. Patient has been followed up with the diagnosis of AMD for 1 year. After the right hemiparesis presentation, he underwent craniotomy and biopsy that made the diagnosis evident.

PVRL/primary central nervous system lymphoma may be one of the most important masquerades of AMD, but a significantly waxing and waning course may help to make correct diagnosis.