[Laser therapy of eyelid and conjunctival tumors, especially in AIDS patients]

We treated patients with Kaposi's sarcoma of the lid or conjunctiva, molluscum contagiosum and papilloma of the lid with dye laser photocoagulation. This therapeutic device is extremely efficient as the chosen wavelength of 577 nm is absorbed selectively by haemoglobin. Since Kaposi's sarcoma is a haemoglobin-containing tumour composed of endothelial cells and papilloma is a benign tumour composed of connective tissue and branching vessels, dye laser photocoagulation causes selective damage to abnormal vessels and surrounding connective tissue. After local anaesthesia a small incision was made at the margin of the lesion five patients each with papilloma and with molluscum contagiosum. In six patients with Kaposi's sarcoma no incision had to be done. Starting from the incision or the margin of the Kaposi's sarcoma 50-100 shots of 0.3-0.5 mm diameter and 1 s duration were applied until the lesion was completely gone. We used a dye laser with 577 nm wavelength and 1 W energy. In patients with papilloma, the tumour basis was coagulated and the tumour itself underwent histological examination. There was a marked decrease of the size of the lesion or even complete disappearance. Since Kaposi's sarcoma in AIDS patients can be relatively fast growing, resulting in cosmetically irritating manifestations and, rarely, haemorrhages, treatment may become necessary. AIDS patients with molluscum contagiosum may also benefit from treatment, as spreading of DNA virus particles may result in viral follicular conjunctivitis. Dye laser photocoagulation, however, cannot protect against relapse.