Original Paper

Application of the Standard Photodynamic Treatment Protocol for Symptomatic Circumscribed Choroidal Hemangioma
Joaquin Vicuna-kojchen, Eyal Banin, Edward Averbukh, Israel Barzel, Marina Shulman, Itzhak Hemo, Jacob Pe'er, Itay Chowers

Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2006;220:351-355 (DOI: 10.1159/000095859)

  Key Words

• Choroidal hemangioma
• Photodynamic therapy

  Abstract

Purpose: To describe the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a standard protocol, developed for treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV), for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH). Methods: A prospective, uncontrolled, consecutive case series of patients with symptomatic CCH that were treated using the standard PDT protocol was evaluated periodically with ophthalmic exams and echography. Results: Nine CCH patients were included in the study. Mean tumor height decreased from 2.7 mm before treatment to 0.8 mm at the end of the follow-up period. Mean visual acuity improved from 6/15 to 6/12. Six patients required one PDT session, two patients two sessions, and one patient three sessions. Side effects included transient visual disturbances in two patients. One patient, who concomitantly presented with age-related macular degeneration, developed CNV. Conclusions: The standard PDT protocol is effective for the treatment of CCH. Complications are uncommon. Further studies should assess the optimal PDT protocol for the treatment of CCH.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Itay Chowers, MD
Department of Ophthalmology
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center
PO Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120 (Israel)
Tel. +972 2 677 6365, Fax +972 2 642 8896, E-Mail chowers@md.huji.ac.il

  Article Information

Received: December 2, 2005
Accepted after revision: August 4, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 20