Giant-Cell Reaction in Surgically Excised Subretinal Neovascular Membrane

Surgical excision of subretinal neovascular membrane is a treatment currently offered for selected patients with subfoveal neovascularization.1Pathologic study of excised membranes has provided insight into the pathogenesis of subretinal neovascularization.2We report herein a case in which pathologic examination of an excised membrane revealed a foreign-body giant-cell reaction. Report of a Case. —A 79-year-old white woman was examined for subfoveal neovascularization in her left eye. The patient had a history of age-related macular degeneration and had previously undergone laser photocoagulation in her right eye. The patient's medical history was significant for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Initial examination revealed that the patient's visual acuity was counting fingers at 1 ft in her right eye and 20/60 OS. External examination showed mild blepharitis and cataracts in both eyes. Fundus examination showed a posterior vitreous detachment and scattered discrete nodular drusen in both eyes. There was no evidence of intraocular inflammation.