A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF CHOROIDAL OSTEOMA

Objective: To provide long-term follow-up information on a large serie s of patients with choroidal osteoma. Methods: Review of patients with a diagnosis of choroidal osteoma who had been examined at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Fla, or known to one of us (J.D.M.G.). In formation was obtained from hospital medical records or by a questionn aire sent to referring ophthalmologists. Life-table analysis was used to study the loss of vision and development of choroidal neovasculariz ation. Results: We followed up 36 patients, 31 (89%) were female, mean age, 21 years (range, 5-54 years) for a mean of 10 years (range, 2-22 years). Growth was observed for 9 (41%) of 22 well-documented osteoma s. The probability of loss of visual acuity to 20/200 or worse was 58% by 10 years and 62% by 20 years. The probability of developing choroi dal neovascularization was 47% by 10 years and 56% by 20 years. Succes sful treatment of the choroidal neovascularization with laser photocoa gulation was performed for 5 (25%) of 20 patients. Conclusions: Most p atients with choroidal osteomas maintain good vision in at least 1 eye , but they have a high risk of developing choroidal neovascularization . When this; occurs, only a minority can be successfully treated-with laser photocoagulation.