External beam irradiation therapy for choroidal haemangiomas. Visual and anatomical results after a dose of 20 to 25 Gy.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual and anatomic results of radiation therapy in ten patients with choroidal haemangiomas.

Methods: Nine patients with circumscribed choroidal haemangiomas and one with diffuse choroidal haemangioma have been reviewed retrospectively. They were treated by lens-sparing external beam radiation therapy (20--24 Gy) (9 eyes) and plaque brachytherapy (25 Gy) (1 eye), respectively.

Results: The visual acuity improved by two lines or more in 8 of 10 eyes. No eyes showed deterioration of visual acuity. In all cases the retinal detachment showed complete resolution. A regression in tumour thickness was observed in all cases, and a reduction of anisometropia in cases with submacular infiltration by the tumour. During follow-up (0.4--8.8 years) there were no signs of radiation cataract, retinopathy or optic neuropathy.

Conclusions: External beam radiation (20--25 Gy) is a reasonable alternative for treatment of symptomatic choroidal haemangiomas.