ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CIRCUMSCRIBED CHOROIDAL HEMANGIOMA USING INTRAVITREAL METOPROLOL.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To describe a patient with visually symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) treated successfully with intravitreal beta-blocker.

METHODS

This is an interventional single case report of a 63 year-old man with a juxtafoveal CCH and extensive subretinal fluid (SRF) unsuccessfully treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF. Off-label intravitreal use of metoprolol (50μg/0.05 ml) was then performed. Main outcome measures were resolution or decreased subretinal fluid on OCT, visual stability or improvement, lack of retinal/ocular toxicity.

RESULTS

Following 2 intravitreal injections of metoprolol (1 month apart), significant response was observed with decrease of SRF and visual improvement to 20/400 during a 9-week follow-up after the injections.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings suggest that intravitreal metoprolol can be a safe alternative treatment for patients with CCH. This off-label therapy could represent another option for patients with this condition.