Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

We report the case of a 31-year-old man who developed a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium in the left eye. The diagnosis was determined based on alterations discovered on fundus examination: hyperplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium cells and tortuosity of the vessels and glial epiretinal membrane. These modifications made it possible to differentiate the hamartoma from choroidal melanoma. The patient underwent photocoagulation therapy. His death due to stroke 4 years after therapy made it possible to analyze the eyeball. Histopathological examination revealed alterations due to retinal photocoagulation as well as alterations particular to the primary tumor: hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and glial and vascular overgrowth.