Choroidal neovascularization as a late complication of hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: To report choroidal neovascularization in a patient with sclerochoroidal calcification secondary to hyperparathyroidism. METHOD: Case report. Bilateral ocular fundus abnormalities observed in a 74-year-old woman were documented with fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography. RESULTS: Two yellow, irregular, oval placoid lesions were observed in the fundus of each eye. Ultrasound examination showed that these areas were extremely sonoreflective and exhibited orbital shadowing. In the left eye, one lesion was accompanied by lipid exudates, and subsequent fluorescein angiography disclosed choroidal neovascularization. Medical history included hyperparathyroidism treated with surgical excision of a parathyroid adenoma 27 years earlier. CONCLUSION: Choroidal neovascularization may be a late complication of hyperparathyroidism. (Am J Ophthalmol 1998;126:320-322. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).