Intravitral Conbercept Injection as a Treatment for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Retinal Astrocytic Hamartomas: A Case Report

Abstract

Purpose: This report describes our experience treating a patient exhibiting bilateral retinal Astrocytic Hamartomas (RAH) associated with vision loss and macular edema. This patient successfully and rapidly responded to the intravitreal injection of conbercept resulting in reductions in lesion sizes and corresponding improvements in visual acuity. Observation: A-22-year-old male patient that had received a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) presented with 1-week history of reduced vision and metamorphosia of the right eye as a consequence of RAH-associated macular edema. The patient underwent treatment in the form of two monthly intravitreal conbercept injections while this condition was in an early stage of progression. As of 6 six months following the start of these injections, monthly OCT imaging through the fovea continues to reveal the alleviation of the serous retinal detachment. These injections also resulted in stable reduction in RAH lesion sizes. Conclusion: Cases of RAH exhibiting clear FFA leakage and significant detachment in OCT imaging require appropriate and timely treatment. In this case, the patient achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of 0.8, presumably owing to the effective resolution of macular edema before substantial permanent damage had occurred. The intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibodies thus represents a promising means of treating macular edema and exudative retinal detachment secondary to RAH.