Port Wine Stain Removal?

[Michael]

Hi

I have a port wine stain birthmark that is quite large and close to my right eye.  Can this be removed and if so, is there a possibility of eye damage?

Thanks!
Mike

[santoshim]

A related discussion, portwine was started.

[chick1]

I have a port wine stain around my right eye. I have had a total of 8 laser treatments, the last two were with the V-beam laser. It is all but gone! Just a slight pink color, mostly noticeable in my brow, but it is mostly concealed through brow hair.
You do not have to live with it, I started treatment in '99 and had the last one in '02.
Good Luck!!

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Michael,

Port wine stains can be treated with certain lasers (pulsed dye lasers or YAG lasers) with some degree of success.  When lasers are used, a corneal shield is placed over the eye to prevent accidental injury to the retina.  In addition the laser therapy, which is the first treatment of choice (because the overlying skin is not damaged), partial excision with surgery and transfer or skin flaps or grafts can also be successful depending on the size of the lesion.

If laser is not completely successful and surgery is not indicated or desired, then camouflage with make-up, although time consuming to apply, can be extremely successful in covering the problem.


Howard L. Rosenberg, M.D.