Severe childhood amblyopia associated to persistence of fetal vasculature

ABSTRACT

Hyperplastic primary vitreous persistence, currently referred to as fetal vasculature persistence, is a congenital anomaly that results from non-regression of the primary vascular vitreous and hyaloid artery system during embryogenesis. It is a unilateral anomaly in the vast majority of cases, sporadic and commonly not associated with any other systemic finding. Clinically, this condition can be classified into anterior and posterior persistence of fetal vasculature. The anterior condition is related to the ciliary artery system, while the persistence of the posterior vasculature is associated with the hyaloid artery, which may present abnormalities with an unfavorable visual outcome. Detecting persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is of paramount importance, as it is a differential diagnosis for retinoblastoma. The following case report describes the outpatient follow-up at the ophthalmology service of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) of a male child with persistent unilateral fetal vasculature and no systemic changes.

Keywords:
Amblyopia; Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous; Embryology; Vitrectomy; Retinal vessels