Clinical observation of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma in Chinese patients

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH) in Chinese patients. Methods Of 21 patients (21eyes))with CCH were treated with PDT (visudyne 6 mg/m2 body surface area and a light dose of 100 J/cm2) at 689 nm diode laser applied over 166 seconds per spot. Overlapping multiple spots were applied to cover the entire tumor surface. The best-corrected visual acuity on baseline was ranged from HM to 0.8 and pretreatment tumor diameter was 6.7～15.6mm (mean 8.9mm)). Periodic follow-up with ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography B scan,optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiographic studies were performed. Results All patients underwent 1 or 2 (mean 1.3) times PDT treatment with 1～5 (mean 1.5) spots in diameter of4200～7500μm. Visual acuity improved in seven of 21 eyes (33.3%), remained stable in 14 eyes (66.7%) during 6～73 months'follow-up (mean 28 months). No case with markedly decreased visual acuity was observed. The tumors were markedly regressed in ultrasonography B scan, OCT and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) showed residual leakage were obviously resolved with the overlying retinal vessels remained unaffected. There was no ocular or systemic complication. Conclusion PDT is a safe and effective treaunent modality for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma. It may regress the tumor, restore or improve the visual acuity without causing significant ocular or systemic side-effects. Key words: Ccircumscribed choroidal haemangioma; Pphotodynamic therapy; V; visual acuity