The Accidental Stargazer’s Retina: When Astrocytes Try to Outshine the Macula

A 42-year-old gentleman presented for a routine examination, complaining of blurred vision. The corrected distance visual acuity was 6/6 in both eyes with a spectacle prescription change. Multiple hyperautofluorescent clusters of nodules in fundus autofluorescence White circle in Figure 1a, Except for a small elevated cluster of nodular, whitish-yellow lesions in the superior-temporal quadrant of the left posterior pole White circle in Figure 1b, the ophthalmic examination was unremarkable. An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan of a retinal astrocytic hamartoma showed an optically vacant area and posterior shadowing Figure 1c. The tumour was diagnosed as a retinal astrocytic hamartoma, and observation with photo documentation was recommended. Astrocytic hamartomas of the retina are benign glial tumours that arise from astrocytes in the nerve fibre layer. While they are typically associated with systemic phacomatoses such as tuberous sclerosis complex and neurofibromatosis, these lesions can also manifest in otherwise healthy patients as incidental findings.1-4 This case describes a middle aged adult with an isolated retinal astrocytic hamartoma without systemic manifestations.Figure 1: (a): Multiple hyperautofluorescent clusters of nodules in fundus autofluorescence (white circle). (b): Small elevated cluster of nodular, whitish-yellow lesions in the superior-temporal quadrant (white circle). (c): An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan of a retinal astrocytic hamartoma showed an optically vacant areaDeclaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.