Photodynamic therapy directly over the optic nerve head to treat a papillary hemangioma.

PURPOSE: To show how effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) is for papillary hemangioma. PATIENT AND METHODS: During follow-up, a papillary hemangioma in a 7-year-old girl increased in size, reducing visual acuity. PDT (verteporfin at a dose of 6 mg/m body surface area and a light dose of 50 J/cm for 83 seconds) with a spot placed directly over the whole papilla was used to treat the tumor. A reduction in exudation and an improvement in visual acuity were achieved after two treatments. DISCUSSION: In this case, PDT over a tumor on the optic nerve head allowed preservation of some visual function; this strategy can be considered a therapeutic option for tumors in this location.