2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 07: Other Retinal Vascular Diseases
Macular Telangiectasia
Macular telangiectasia is subdivided into 3 general types:
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Type 1: unilateral parafoveal telangiectasia, congenital or acquired
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Type 2: bilateral parafoveal telangiectasia (Fig 7-9)
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Type 3: bilateral parafoveal telangiectasia with retinal capillary obliteration
Macular Telangiectasia Type 1
Macular telangiectasia type 1 (MacTel 1), also termed aneurysmal telangiectasia, typically occurs unilaterally, predominantly in young males, and with characteristic aneurysmal dilatations of the temporal macular vasculature with surrounding CME and yellowish exudates. MacTel 1 is considered a a macular variant of Coats disease. Peripheral vascular changes may also occur. Anti-VEGF therapy is generally ineffective. However, aflibercept, which blocks placental growth factor in addition to VEGF, elicits a treatment response in eyes with MacTel 1, implicating placental growth factor in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.