Congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). Help!

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Hi.

I had a routine eye test and my optician referred me to Ophthalmologist for a more detailed eye exam. This was because he could see a lesion on my right eye. (left eye completely fine)

My vision has always been really good but now im 43 i do need glasses for reading or close up stuff.

When i saw the Ophthalmologist he said it was not a concern but im to go back in 6-8 weeks.

I received a copy of the report that has gone to my GP and it says i have a Congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) in my right eye. When i googled this it started ringing alarm bells! There is also a minimal retinal haemorrhage at the edge of the CHRPE which he thinks was probably caused by high BP. (this is controlled with medication for last 20 years, dosage was recently increased as it was slightly elevated)

Can someone put my mind at rest please. I have read it could have been there since birth and to be honest it was only in the last few years that i've started having my eyes tested as i've never had a problem so maybe its always been there.

How common is this and should i be concerned? My health in general is good.

Thanks.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Edited

    The good news is that this is not a malignant tumour condition. It's common that it presents with no symptoms and is present from childhood. It can however indicate colonic polyps, so it's definitely worth speaking to your GP about having an examination of the colon.

    • Edited

      from what ive read for there to be issues with my colon i would have this in both eyes and in multiples. there is just one..

      there is no family history of colon issues.

    • Posted

      How ate you going now with your eye? I was just diagnosed with this also.

  • Posted

    Hi. Last year during my then 8yr old daughters routine eye test, she was found to have 2 tiny CHRPE's on one of her retina's. She was referred to a specialist, who like you said, told us it had probably been there from birth and much to my relief said he was not concerned at all. He wants to see her again in a years time.

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