Treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas

Forty of 59 patients with a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma have been treated by photocoagulation since 1972 because of visual impairment due to secondary nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the fovea. An attempt was made in every case to bring about resolution of the subretinal fluid, but no attempt was made to destroy the tumor. The treatment techniques used were xenon arc photocoagulation and less intense argon laser photocoagulation. At least a temporary reduction or resolution of subretinal fluid occurred after treatment in most of the eyes, but subsequent reaccumulation of subretinal fluid was noted in many cases. Unfortunately, only 22.5% of the treated eyes retained visual acuity of 6/12 or better after an average follow-up of four years.