Clinical Results of Various Treatments for Retinal Capillary Hemangioma

We report the clinical outcomes of retinal capillary hemangioma (RCH) after the application of various treatments.

We performed a retrospective chart analysis of eight eyes treated for RCH between August 2009 and January 2018. During the follow-up period, the status and progression of the RCHs were checked by fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography, and additional treatments were applied when necessary.

Three of the five patients had bilateral RCH, and two had unilateral RCH. Six eyes received laser photocoagulation; two eyes received cryotherapy, and one eye received intravitreal Avastin injection. Three eyes each had intravitreal triamcinolone injection, subtenon triamcinolone injection, and intravitreal dexamethasone injection to control inflammation. Also, two patients took oral prednisolone, and one patient used prednisolone eye drops to control inflammation. Two eyes underwent vitrectomy and scleral buckling due to deterioration of the epiretinal membrane and vitreal traction, respectively. As a result of those treatments, the tumors were stable in five of the eight eyes. However, one eye is now in a pre-phthisis state, and one patient who refused treatment showed progression of the tumor, epiretinal membrane, and traction.

Because RCHs vary in size, the degree of inflammation, and symptoms, this disorder should be actively treated on a case-by-case basis. Fluorescein angiography should be used periodically to determine recurrence of the tumor or inflammation, and the appropriate treatment should be repeated as necessary. Moreover, regular systemic screening tests for von Hippel-Lindau disease should be performed in RCH patients to ensure that they have no abnormalities other than in the eye.