Outcome of multiple retinal capillary hemangioma following focal laser and intravitreal bevacizumab injection: A case report

Abstract

Retinal hemangioma has posed a therapeutic problem for ophthalmologists for almost a decade. The location of hemangioma in the retina is an important factor in determining the treatment options as well as the size of the tumor, clarity of media, and secondary features of the mass. A 22-year-old male presented to vitreoretina clinic at a tertiary eye hospital, with a history of sudden decrease of vision in the left eye for 1 year associated with mild ocular pains. Physical and systemic examination revealed no positive findings. On ocular examination, the visual acuity was 6/6 in the right eye and perception of light in the left eye, and there was no improvement with best correction. Anterior segment examination in both eyes was essentially normal. Dilated funduscopy revealed a well-circumscribed and elevated vascular orange reddish mass in the juxtapapillary area, temporal to the disc with dilated tortuous feeder blood vessels measuring 6.4 × 3.0 mm in the right eye and vitreous hemorrhage with tractional retinal detachment in the left eye. The small solitary lesion in the right eye was treated with focal laser. This was followed by intravitreal bevacizumab avastin 1.25 mg in 0.05 mL in the same eye, monthly three doses, with the aim of targeting the bigger lesion at the juxtapapillary area to reduce the risk of visual loss. Patient also had pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser photocoagulation, and silicon oil in the left eye. There was complete resolution of the tumor, which was not measurable after third dose of intravitreal avastin. Patient vision remained 6/6, and there was no recurrence at the last follow-up visit 3 years after treatment. Antivascular endothelial growth factors like avastin are effective in the treatment of retinal capillary hemangioma, thereby inducing complete tumor resolution as well as maintaining good vision in the early stages of the disease before complication occurs, as it is evident in this case study.