Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of retinal angiomatosis in different clinical stages. To discuss the indication of vitrectomy for retinal hemangioblastoma. Methods The clinical data of 22 cases (33 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. The retinal hemangiomas were divided into 5 stages according to their degrees of development from simple angioma without vessel dilation to feeder vessel dilation and intra-retinal exudates, local retinal detachment, massive retinal detachment and co mplication occurrence in proper order. The methods of treatment were laser photo coagulation, trans-scleral cryotherapy and vitrectomy. 13 eyes were treated with laser photocoagulation, 5 eyes with cryotherapy combined with laser and 11 eye s with vitrectomy. Tumor resection and silicone oil tamponade was performed in 3 eyes during vitrectomy. The patients were followed up for 46 months on average. Visual acuity (VA), the condition of the hemangioma and retina was compared pre- and post-operation respectively. Results In all 13 eyes treated with laser photocoagulation the hemangiomas regressed and the retina remained attached. VA improved in 2 eyes, and remained unchanged in 11 eyes. Cryother apy combined with laser photocoagulation was performed on 5 eyes. In this group, 4 eyes prime; hemangiomas regressed and no new hemangiomas occurred, proliferative vitreous retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage was observed in 1 eye which vitrecto my was performed later. VA improved in 2 eyes, unchanged in 2 eyes and decreased in 1 eye. In the 11 eyes treated with vitreoretinal surgery, new hemangiomas wa s found in 1 eye, exudative retinal detachment was caused by hemangiomas in 2 eyes, proliferative vitreous retinopathy was observed in 2 eyes, and the retina re mained attached in 8 eyes. VA improved in 3 eyes, unimproved in 3 eyes, and decreased in 5 eyes. In the 3 eyes with surgical resection of retinal hemangioma during vitrectomy, 2 eyes prime; retina remained attached, 1 eye had exu dative retinal detachment and no new hemangiomas occurred. VA improved in 2 eyes and decreased in 1 eye. Conclusions Laser photocoagulation or combined with cryotherapy is effective in treating the hemangiomas in early stage. Vitrectomy is advisable for late stage of retinal angiomatosis, especially with vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane, proliferation and large scale of r etinal detachment. Surgical resection of isolated large retinal hemangioblastoma may be useful for selected patients. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:107-110)
Citation: HUA NG Yongsheng,LIANG Xiaoling.. Investigation of therapy for retinal angiomatosis. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2008, 24(2): 107-110. doi: Copy