Elevated erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in an adolescent with retinal neovascularization from a chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a patient with retinal neovascularization from a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of long duration.

Methods: Fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and vitreous analysis were performed. The vitreous concentrations of erythropoietin and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and compared with control levels.

Results: An adolescent with a history of mild retinopathy of prematurity presented with a retinal detachment found by routine examination. The patient had a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with signs of chronicity and extensive retinal neovascularization. The patient's erythropoietin level was higher than those of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The patient's VEGF level was not as high as those of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy but was elevated compared with those of patients without neovascularization.

Conclusion: Vitreous concentrations of erythropoietin and VEGF can be elevated in patients with neovascularization secondary to a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of long duration.