PURPOSE: To report a case requiring emergency surgical intervention to treat a progressive massive retinal detachment after photodynamic therapy for a peripheral retinal capillary hemangioma associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. METHODS: A 38-year-old woman with von Hippel-Lindau disease had a peripheral retinal capillary hemangioma in the left eye. At the initial visit, the best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250 in the left eye. Photodynamic therapy was applied to treat the hemangioma. After 1 day, a massive retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage occurred. Three days after photodynamic therapy, vitrectomy was performed to treat the retinal detachment, which progressed with visual deterioration to hand motions. RESULTS: A diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment was made because no retinal breaks were identified. The retina was reattached with external drainage and gas tamponade. One month postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/100 in the left eye, and the vascular activity of the hemangioma stabilized. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy monotherapy to treat retinal capillary hemangioma might result in a massive exudative retinal detachment requiring surgery.
PURPOSE: To report a case requiring emergency surgical intervention to treat a progressive massive retinal detachment after photodynamic therapy for a peripheral retinal capillary hemangioma associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. METHODS: A 38-year-old woman with von Hippel-Lindau disease had a peripheral retinal capillary hemangioma in the left eye. At the initial visit, the best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250 in the left eye. Photodynamic therapy was applied to treat the hemangioma. After 1 day, a massive retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage occurred. Three days after photodynamic therapy, vitrectomy was performed to treat the retinal detachment, which progressed with visual deterioration to hand motions. RESULTS: A diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment was made because no retinal breaks were identified. The retina was reattached with external drainage and gas tamponade. One month postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/100 in the left eye, and the vascular activity of the hemangioma stabilized. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy monotherapy to treat retinal capillary hemangioma might result in a massive exudative retinal detachment requiring surgery.