Photodynamic Therapy for Circumscribed Choroidal Hemangioma in 79 Consecutive Patients: Comparative Analysis of Factors Predictive of Visual Outcome.

Purpose: To determine factors predictive of visual outcome in patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Participants: Seventy-nine patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma treated with PDT.

Methods: Patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma treated with PDT were identified, and factors predictive of final visual acuity were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures: Factors predictive of final visual acuity of 20/40 or better versus 20/50 or worse.

Results: Seventy-nine eyes of 79 patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma were treated with PDT. All tumors were unilateral and posterior to the equator. Mean largest basal diameter was 5.7 mm (range, 2.0-10.0 mm); mean thickness was 3.0 mm (range, 1.4-4.5 mm). A total of 116 PDT sessions were performed (mean, 1.5 sessions; range, 1.0-7.0 sessions). Standard duration PDT was used in most cases (83 seconds; n = 110/116 [95%]). Mean follow-up was 43 months. Of 79 patients, 49 (62%) demonstrated good visual acuity (≥20/40) and 30 (38%) showed intermediate to poor visual acuity (≤20/50) after PDT. A comparison (final visual acuity, good vs. intermediate to poor) revealed a statistically significant difference in baseline features of photopsia (100% vs. 0%; P = 0.04), initial visual acuity of 20/40 or better (77% vs. 23%; P < 0.001), mean tumor basal diameter (5.4 mm vs. 6.2 mm; P = 0.03), mean tumor thickness (2.9 mm vs. 3.2 mm; P = 0.01), cystoid macular edema (CME) involving the foveola (30% vs. 70%; P = 0.001), retinal edema overlying the lesion (39% vs. 61%; P = 0.003), retinoschisis involving the foveola (0% vs. 100%; P = 0.002), lack of CME regardless of foveola involvement at presentation (79% vs. 21%; P < 0.001), previous treatment (33% vs. 67%; P = 0.04), and CME progression after treatment (0% vs. 100%; P = 0.006). Partial or complete resolution of subretinal fluid was achieved in 93% of patients.

Conclusions: In this comparative analysis, PDT was an effective treatment method for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Good final visual outcome (≥20/40) was correlated with good baseline visual acuity, smaller tumor size, lack of CME, and lack of treatment before PDT.