Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the autofluorescence (AF) features of choroidal hemangioma in 34 consecutive patients.
Methods: Standard fundus photography and AF photography (580-nm excitation, 695-nm barrier filter) were performed on all patients. The clinical features were correlated with AF features. The main outcome measures were autofluorescence features of choroidal hemangioma (intrinsic AF) and overlying retinal pigment epithelium (extrinsic AF).
Results: There were 27 eyes with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) and 7 eyes with diffuse choroidal hemangioma (DCH). The mean patient age was 53 years for CCH and 15 years for DCH. Intrinsic AF of untreated CCH was generally iso-AF (n = 7, 58%) and for treated CCH was hypo-AF (n = 15, 100%). Extrinsic AF of CCH disclosed hyper-AF (orange pigment and fresh subretinal fluid) and hypo-AF (retinal pigment epithelium hyperplasia, fibrous metaplasia, and atrophy). Intrinsic AF of untreated DCH was generally hypo-AF (n = 2, 67%) and for treated DCH was hypo-AF (n = 3, 75%). Extrinsic AF of DCH was similar to CCH.
Conclusion: Choroidal hemangioma shows little intrinsic AF. Overlying orange pigment and fresh subretinal fluid show hyper-AF and retinal pigment epithelium hyperplasia and atrophy show hypo-AF.