Decompensation of a congenital retinal macrovessel with arteriovenous communications induced by repetitive rollercoaster rides

PURPOSE: To describe a congenital retinal venous macrovessel that communica tes with a cilioretinal artery and a retinal artery, and to report how this vascular anomaly decompensated as a result of repetitive rollercoaster rid es. METHODS: Case report with serial fundus photography and fluorescein angiogr aphy. RESULTS: After a short period of intensive rollercoaster rides, a 19-year-o ld woman complained of reduced vision in one eye. Funduscopy and fluorescei n angiography revealed a venous congenital retinal macrovessel with arterio venous communications, and retinal exudation was visible at the termination of the anomalous vessel. Exudation resolved, and acuity recovered after a period of avoidance of rollercoaster rides. CONCLUSION: This case represents the first report of a retinal artery and a cilioretinal artery communicating with a congenital retinal macrovessel, a nd it suggests that such patients are at increased risk of retinal vascular decompensation if involved in activities associated with changes in g-forc es, such as bungee jumping or rollercoaster rides. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Sci ence Inc. All rights reserved.