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.