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Photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma
Irène M E Landau1, Björn Steen, Stefan Seregard
1St. Eriks Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. irene.landau@sankterik.se
Purpose:
To assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new treatment for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH).
Methods:
Eight patients with CCH were treated with PDT using a protocol similar to that used in the standard treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
Results:
Visual acuity improved in six of eight eyes, remained unchanged in one eye and deteriorated in one eye after 3-15 months (median 7 months) follow-up. Pre-treatment metamorphopsia disappeared in all but two cases. The thickness of the CCH measured with standardized echography showed marked regression within 1 month after PDT. In six eyes there was no remaining protrusion after PDT and one lesion was barely detectable. One patient experienced a transient choroidal effusion and perifoveal haemorrhage.
Conclusion:
Photodynamic therapy is a promising new treatment for CCH as it restores visual function in most cases without causing apparent ocular or systemic side-effects.