Argon laser photoablation of a choroidal osteoma

Choroidal osteomas are rare, juxtapapillary choroidal tumors, which are usually unilateral but can be bilateral in as many as 30% of patients. Choroidal neovascularization may complicate this condition and be associated with severe visual loss. A patient treated with argon laser photocoagulation for SRNVM is described, and clinical and radiographic evidence of destruction of the osteoma during an 8-year follow-up is presented. The possible mechanisms of laser's ablative effect on bone, in addition to clinical application for choroidal osteoma treatment, are discussed.