Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms are dilatations of the great arterioles of the retina that usually occur within the first three bifurcations of the central retinal artery. They are often associated with macular exudation and bleeding, which can lead to a decrease in visual acuity. In this diagnosis, there is a 10% incidence of bilateral disease and an average 10% risk of more than one aneurysm in the same eye. For many patients with macroaneurysms, the visual prognosis is mostly good. The natural course of these lesions indicates the spontaneous closure of the aneurysm with the restoration of near-normal vision, while in some cases treatment is required. This review will focus on the current pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of retinal arterial macroaneurysms.