Anatomic and visual acuity outcomes following thermal laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma with associated serous retinal detachment.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports and compares the anatomic and visual acuity outcomes of patients treated with either thermal laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma with associated serous retinal detachment.


METHODS
Retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series of patients treated for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.


RESULTS
Thirteen of 23 patients (57%) treated with thermal laser photocoagulation exhibited complete resolution of subretinal fluid, 6 (26%) had partial resolution of subretinal fluid, and 4 (17%) had persistent subretinal fluid despite therapy. At 3 months posttreatment, visual acuity was improved in 6 (26%), stable in 13 (57%), and worsened in 4 (17%) of 23 patients. All 5 patients who underwent photodynamic therapy had complete resolution of subretinal fluid. At 3 months posttreatment, visual acuity improved in 4 (80%), remained stable in 1 (20%), and worsened in 0 (0%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy shows similar if not better anatomic and visual acuity results than thermal laser photocoagulation when treating symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
Ingrid U
IU
Scott
Jason
J
Gorscak
J Donald M
JD
Gass
William J
WJ
Feuer
Timothy G
TG
Murray
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin