Investigation of therapy for retinal angiomatosis

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of retinal angiomatosis in differentclinical stages.To discuss the indication of vitrectomy for retinal hemangioblastoma. Methods TheclinicaI data of 22 cases(33 eyes)were retrospectively analyzed.The retinal hemangiomas were dividedinto 5 stages according to their degrees of development from simple angioma without vessel dilation tofeeder vessel dilation and intra-retinal exudates.local retinal detachment,massive retinal detachment andcomplication occurrence in proper order.The methods of treatment were laser photocoagulation,trans-scleral cryotherapy and vitrectomy. 13 eyes were treated with laser photocoagulation, 5 eyes withcryotherapy combined with laser and 11 eyes with vitrectomy.Tumor resection and silicone oil tamponadewas 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-operationrespectively. Results In a11 13 eyes treated with laser phot.coagulation the hemangiomas regressed andthe retina remained attached.VA improved in 2 eyes,and remained unchanged in 11 eyes.Cryotherapycombined with laser photocoagulation was performed on 5 eyes. In this group,4 eyes'hemangiomasregressed and no new hemangiomas occurred,proliferative vitreous retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhagewas observed in 1 eye which vitrectomy was performed later.VA improved in 2 eyes,unchanged in 2 eyesand decreased in 1 eye.In the 11 eyes treated with vitreoretinal surgery,new hemangiomas was found in 1eye,exudative retinal detachment was caused by hemangiomas in 2 eyes,proliferative vitreous retinopathywas observed in 2 eyes.and the retina remained attached in 8 eyes.VA improved in 3 eyes,unimproved in3 eyes,and decreased in 5 eyes.In the 3 eyes with surgical resection of retinal hemangioma during vitrectomy,2 eyes'retina remained attached,1 eye had exudative 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.Vitreetomy is advisable for late stage of retinal angiomatosis,especially with vitreous hemorrhage,epiretinal membrane,proliferation and large scale of retinal detachment.Surgical resection of isolated large retinal hemangioblastoma may be useful for selected patients. Key words: Hippel-Lindau disease/classification; Hippel-Lindau disease/surgery; Treatment outcome